Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) is poised for a record year of capacity in 2025, as the hub actively targets new routes to emerging markets in India, the Philippines and Thailand.
In 2024, the airport welcomed 10 airlines, including six newcomers, launching 16 new routes. United Airlines has added 10 new routes this year alone.
"In 2024, we have continued on our record-breaking growth from 2023,” Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority vice president of airline business development, Paul B. Bobson, tells Aviation Week.
Notable new entrants include Aeromexico, Avelo, Swiss and Breeze Airways. In addition, Lufthansa has upgraded its daily Munich service to an Airbus A380 for the full summer season. The new air service is projected to provide an additional 1.25 million annual seats and generate more than $300 million in positive economic impact.
Looking ahead, Bobson is optimistic about future growth, saying: "We are already looking to 2025, where we anticipate another record year of capacity. British Airways has already announced a third daily frequency for the full summer 2025 season."
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IAD is focusing on new markets for route development, particularly in Asia, where 80% of its top unserved international markets lie. Targeted cities include Hyderabad, Mumbai, Manila, Singapore and Bangkok. “This region represents the biggest growth opportunity for Washington Dulles moving forward,” Bobson adds. Africa is also a key area for expansion, given the large African expatriate population in the National Capital Region.
To attract airlines to these new destinations, IAD has launched an incentive program that offers marketing support and fee waivers for new services. "Washington Dulles is one of the only airports in the U.S. with a designated air service retention program designed to support existing air service," Bobson says.
Infrastructure developments are also in the works. In 2024, Dulles broke ground on a new 14-gate concourse, known as Tier-2 East or the "E Concourse." This facility will support United Airlines' continued growth at the airport. Bobson emphasized that the new concourse will blend the iconic Saarinen legacy with local biophilia, stating, "It will usher in the future of the nation’s capital international gateway."
Expected to be operational by 2026, the new concourse will feature larger seating areas, new concessions and enhanced passenger amenities. Additionally, five existing domestic gates will be converted into international swing gates to accommodate the airport's expanding international air service.
Bobson adds, “2025 will mark the start of a new 15-year capital program that is designed to meet the needs across our airport to support the anticipated growth.”
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