Washington Dulles International Airport is to get a new VIP terminal, which will be operated and managed by daa International.
The planned facility will provide commercial airline passengers travelling through Washington Dulles with a new premium airport experience.
Ireland’s daa International is the international airport management and advisory business of the daa Group, the operator of Cork and Dublin airports.
It will develop, lease and operate a new premium passenger service at Washington Dulles International Airport.
The facility will be the first dedicated VIP passenger terminal of its kind serving the Washington metropolitan region.
The project involves the development of a dedicated VIP terminal for passengers travelling on commercial flights into and out of Washington Dulles International Airport.
The 37,000 sqft facility will be located on a dedicated site at the airport and will provide commercial airline passengers with a premium alternative airport experience.
The programme includes a 30-month development phase followed by a 20-year operating term. The service will offer eligible passengers an additional premium travel option, complementing the airport’s existing passenger experience.
According to Dulles operator, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the project “reflects the growing demand worldwide for premium passenger services and will position Washington Dulles alongside other leading international airports that offer dedicated VIP facilities”.
MWAA adds that the proposed experience is designed to save passengers time while providing greater privacy, comfort and personal assistance, with support co-ordinated around their airport journey.
It says that the new facility “will give commercial airline passengers who value efficiency, a more discreet and personalised option”, including:
•Personalised check-in and baggage services
Nick Cole, daa deputy CEO and CEO of daa International, enthused: “We are honoured to have been selected by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority for this prestigious project.
“Washington Dulles International Airport plays a vital role in connecting the United States with the world, and we look forward to bringing our international airport experience and operational expertise to the delivery of a VIP facility that reflects the airport’s global standing.
“This appointment demonstrates the continued confidence that airport authorities place in daa International’s ability to deliver complex, high-profile aviation projects. It is also a testament to the expertise of our team and the strength of the wider daa Group.”
The VIP Terminal building will be designed in collaboration with Corgan, a major global architecture and design firm.
The project is also expected to create opportunities for local jobs, skills development, suppliers and partners, supporting long-term value for MWAA and the Washington region.
Chryssa Westerlund, executive vice president and chief revenue officer at MWAA, noted: “Adding a VIP terminal at Dulles International reflects our commitment to giving passengers the options to choose an airport experience that fits their needs.
“By introducing this premium service, Dulles is responding to traveller demand, supporting continued growth and joining other leading international airports around the world that offer elevated services for business and leisure travellers alike.”
The appointment strengthens the daa Group’s presence in North America, where ARI, its travel retail business, has recently been awarded the duty-free contract in JFK Terminal 4.
It brings experience in airport operations, passenger experience, terminal development and operational readiness, with airport management and advisory work across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia.
This includes the Platinum VIP private terminal at Dublin Airport, a VIP terminal currently being designed in Vietnam, and management of Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
