U.S. President Donald Trump and United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby (right) pictured July 29 in the Oval Office with plans for the redeveloped Dulles.
WASHINGTON—The Trump administration has unveiled a massive program to overhaul Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), pegging the estimated cost at $22.5 billion, which will partially be paid for by United Airlines.
“Essentially, this is a brand new airport,” U.S. President Donald Trump said July 29 during a press conference in the Oval Office, with the architectural design sprawled on his desk in front of him.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the 64-year-old airport as “dark, dated, a little dank,” but said the iconic, sweeping main terminal would continue to serve as IAD’s entrance. The rest of the airport will be substantially changed under the plans.
The mobile lounges that have moved passengers for decades will be eliminated, replaced by a “horseshoe train system throughout the airport,” Duffy said. He added that the administration is moving "as quickly as possible" to start work. “We have some permitting we have to do, but we think we can start construction in the spring of next year,” Duffy said.
The Transportation Department (DOT) said in a statement that the rebuild “will occur in phases over several years.”
DOT owns IAD but the airport is governed by the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA). The public body has a lease with DOT to run IAD through 2100.
Trump acknowledged that the administration will “need some approvals from Congress” to move forward, but predicted lawmakers will be largely supportive on a bipartisan basis.
United will play a significant role in the reconstruction, Duffy said. The airline, which has a hub at IAD, will contribute to the cost of financing the modernization program, he added. Trump said United CEO Scott Kirby, who attended the Oval Office press briefing, was “very much involved” in developing the new design for the airport.
United has a dominant 68.5% passenger market share (as of December 2025) at IAD, with second-place Delta Air Lines at 3.5%. “This design is one that works great for the airline,” Kirby said.
“Travelers can look forward to more than 5 million ft.2 of new or renovated space, including new and modernized concourses, an expanded and enhanced main terminal with more walkable access to gates, and new train service connecting the airport,” United said in a statement, adding the airline “will closely collaborate on the development and execution of the enhancements.”
Trump said multiple architects presented proposals and the administration “did a little cherry picking” to develop the design. He described the $22.5 billion program as “largely financed,” adding that “cost was no object.”
Duffy said bonds would finance much of the modernization program, adding that “United is going to partake in part of the payment” and other “airlines who participate in the project are going to pay.”
MWAA said: “Working with airlines serving Dulles, [the airports authority] will finance the new concourses and terminal facilities through municipal bonds, which offer significantly lower interest rates than bonds available to private-sector firms. Other portions of the new development will offer opportunities for public-private partnership investments.”
MWAA CEO Jack Potter reiterated that United will partially fund the modernization program, but the airline's specific investment was not revealed. “We're very happy that United Airlines, the airports authority and other airlines have agreed to step up and fund this thing,” he said in the Oval Office. “So this is not requiring federal dollars. This is going to be airport-generated dollars, airline contributions, which is phenomenal.”
An undisclosed number of added gates “will give travelers more spacious, comfortable seating areas, dedicated work areas, and amenities in bright, expansive settings,” according to the department. In addition to the airport-wide train system, a “central walking tunnel” will be constructed, DOT said.
Potter said the program outlined by Trump and Duffy builds on IAD expansion work already underway. For example, 14 new United gates will open later this year.
Previously, MWAA had planned to spend $7 billion on modernization. Potter said the Trump administration is “accelerating the pace and scope of our plans.”
Trump said MWAA’s previous plan called for building “a little section here, a little section there, and that wouldn't have worked.”
IAD handled 29 million passengers in 2025, up 6.4% over 2024. According to OAG Schedules Analyzer data, the airport is served by 45 airlines connecting IAD to 152 destinations, including 90 domestic and 62 international, led by 21 in Europe and 15 in Latin America.
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