Board approves long-term master plan for Washington Dulles

A significant update to Dulles International Airport’s (IAD) Master Plan, which provides a long-term framework for the airport’s development, was today approved by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board of directors.

The document provides a comprehensive vision for development opportunities spanning the next several decades that is designed to keep Dulles in a strong position to accommodate the National Capital Region’s growing transportation needs.

Many concepts in the previous plan document, adopted in 1985, have already been realised.

The newer revision considers the accelerating growth of passengers using Dulles in recent years fuelled by Silver Line Metrorail service, as well as more airlines with increasing non-stop service to destinations around the world.

The airport’s annual passenger activity is expected to grow more than 30% by 2030, when compared with 2024 figures.

According to MWAA, the updated plan envisages development priorities and facility upgrades to optimise the airport’s potential for efficiency, flexibility, resiliency and sustainability, while creating opportunities to increase revenue from non-aeronautical sources.

Its time horizon extends beyond the term of the current airline use and premises lease agreement, which governs airlines’ business relationships with the airport through 2039.

The plan provides a comprehensive vision for future airport facilities, including proposals for a fifth runway, new concourses organised in existing and additional “tiers”, and the expansion of the
Main Terminal and connector to Concourses A and B (Tier 1).

Other key projects include new parking garages convenient to the Main Terminal; a consolidated rental car facility within a new garage structure; expanded aircraft aprons and taxiways;
expansion of IAD’s fuel farm; and the development of land for non-aeronautical activities adjacent to Autopilot Drive.

The process of updating the Master Plan, which is required for major US airports by the Federal Aviation Administration, began in 2020 and included extensive studies of existing facilities and operations, along with future airline activity forecasts.

Planners presented a range of alternative development scenarios to internal and external stakeholders, including the public, at several workshops and advisory committee meetings through the plan drafting process.

The board-approved plan will be sent to the FAA for concurrence. Once this is achieved, the Master Plan will become the official FAA-compliant document guiding future development options for Dulles International Airport.