Washington Announced This Airport Could Get A Major $22.5B Upgrade By 2036

President Donald Trump has announced plans for a major upgrade to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), with construction on a fifth concourse already underway. The renovation program, which is planned for completion in 2036, is expected to cost in the region of $22 billion in one of the largest ever makeovers to a U.S. airport. A far cry from this California airport's new $1.3 billion terminal, or even this southern airport's $4.5 billion upgrade. 

More than 5 million square feet of new or renovated space will be added to cater to what Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) calls "the nation's fastest-growing international gateway airport." As well as Concourse E, which is expected to open in fall 2026, plans unveiled include replacing the existing Concourses C and D, additional gates and seating, the construction of a larger U.S. customs facility, a multi-story parking garage, and an expansion of the AeroTrain service.

Dulles saw a record 29 million passengers in 2025, showing a 6.4% increase from the previous year, including a record 10.53 million international passengers. The finished airport is expected to have the capacity to handle 90 million passengers per year. Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, which currently handles around 70% of airport traffic at Dulles and is working with MWAA on the renovations, announced via United's website, "Washington Dulles is the gateway that connects the nation's capital to the world, and this transformation builds on United's long-term investment in our hub to deliver the world-class airport experience our employees, customers and millions of travelers deserve." Dulles is around 25 miles from downtown Washington, D.C., which is also served by Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which was ranked the worst airport in the U.S. for flight disruptions.

Washington Dulles International Airport opened in 1962 and was designed by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen. The curved, sloping roof is one of its distinctive features and will remain as part of the main terminal. Although completion of the project is still years away, passengers won't need to wait that long to see changes to the airport, which is the latest in a series of planned building projects the U.S. president has planned for the capital, including a new $400 million ballroom in the White House and a 250-foot high memorial arch. The new Concourse E, opening in Fall 2026, will have 14 new gates and more than 15 new shopping and dining options.

Other significant changes coming later include a multi-level parking garage with the capacity for 32,000 vehicles, making access to the airport much easier. Check-in will also be quicker with more efficient security screening. The biggest change will be the replacement of both Concourses C and D. Designed to accommodate more aircraft, there will be more gates, larger seating areas, dedicated work areas, and one of the world's largest United Polaris Lounges. 

"It's time to ensure that the United States has the greatest airports anywhere in the world, and we're starting right here with the capital city," announced Trump, per The Washington Post. It will also be the end of an era for the people movers, shuttles that currently transport passengers between the terminal and concourses, and are as old as the airport itself. Described as slow, antiquated, and dangerous, they will be replaced by additional connections on the existing AeroTrain service.