Donald Trump is set to announce a $22bn plan to rebuild Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, following his personal involvement in the design process. The announcement, scheduled for 3pm at the White House, will include Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, and officials from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).
Trump's personal touch on Dulles overhaul
According to a White House official, Trump scrutinized 3D models from contractors competing for the project and proposed changes. This intervention is part of a broader pattern of the president directing alterations in Washington, from a proposed White House ballroom to a planned 250ft arch.
The overhaul aims to address longstanding complaints about Dulles, including its distance from the city, jet-fuel-scented concourses, and aging shuttle vehicles. The plan includes five new terminals replacing the existing four, an expanded underground train system, a new pedestrian tunnel, and additional moving walkways. The much-maligned 'mobile lounges'—slow shuttles that ferry passengers across the tarmac—would be eliminated.
Design and financing
People briefed on the proposal said the approved design emphasizes glass and gold, with gold-mirrored ceilings throughout the terminals. United Airlines, which handles about 70% of Dulles traffic, has agreed to help finance the project, expected to cost over $20bn and take years to complete, according to the Washington Post. MWAA is expected to fund much of the work through new bond issuances, having already approved a separate $7bn capital plan in 2025.
Background and criticism
Trump has openly criticized Dulles, telling reporters in December it 'should be a great airport' but 'it's a terrible airport.' Complaints intensified in November 2024 when a mobile lounge collided with a concourse dock, injuring at least 18 people. A Trump-appointed MWAA board member later cited the crash as reason to retire the shuttles.
Dulles handled a record 29 million passengers in 2025, up 6.4% from the previous year, and is set to open a new 14-gate concourse for United this autumn. United and MWAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
