New Dulles master plan might end people movers
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: J. David Ake/Getty Images
Dulles expects tens of millions more passengers by the end of the century — and it's deciding now how it'll accommodate them all.
Why it matters: The airport's newly approved master plan — its first in 40 years — calls for more concourses, parking and a possible farewell to the people movers.
- It comes on the heels of Dulles seeing a record-setting 27 million passengers last year.
The big picture: The plan anticipates that by 2045 the airport will serve 45 million passengers a year across 154 gates (up from 130).
- At final buildout — sometime around 2080 or 2090 — it expects 90 million annual passengers passing through 218 gates.
State of play: The outline — approved last week by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board — calls for the expansion of the Aerotrain to all of the concourses, which could mean RIP people movers.
- Yes, but: Don't expect a potential departure anytime soon — Dulles is undertaking a multimillion-dollar upgrade to the people movers so they can be used for the next few decades, a MWAA spokesperson tells Axios.
The master plan also details a completed Concourse E/F, part of which is under construction via United's expansion.
- Also included: a fifth runway, new parking garages and a new Concourse G/H to replace Concourse C/D.
Zoom out: The planning isn't limited to immediate airport grounds. The area surrounding Dulles could be developed into entertainment venues, mixed-use office space, retail and hotels.
- Plus: Data centers are also a consideration.
What's next: The plan is headed to the Federal Aviation Administration for final sign-off.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add details about the people mover renovation project.