On Wednesday, July 29th, 2026, President Donald Trump announced a $22 billion plan to rebuild Washington’s Dulles International Airport. The announcement took place at 3pm at the White House, where Trump was joined by US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, and officials from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), which operates the airport under a 50-year lease from Congress.

The plan follows Trump’s personal involvement in the design process, including reviewing 3D models from contractors and proposing changes. The overhaul is part of a broader pattern of the president directing changes in Washington, following projects such as a proposed White House ballroom and a planned 250-foot arch.

The redevelopment will replace the airport’s existing four terminals with five new ones and expand the underground train system to eliminate the need for the airport’s criticized "mobile lounges"—slow-moving shuttles that transport passengers across the tarmac. Additional features include a new underground pedestrian tunnel and more moving walkways. The approved design reportedly emphasizes glass and gold elements, including gold-mirrored ceilings throughout the terminals.

United Airlines, which handles about 70% of Dulles’ traffic, has agreed to help finance the project. MWAA is expected to fund much of the work through new bond issuances and had already approved a separate $7 billion capital plan for the airport in 2025. The project is anticipated to take several years to complete.

The plan has received mixed reactions, with some criticism focusing on the airport’s distance from the city, its jet-fuel odor in concourses, and reliance on aging shuttle vehicles.

Sources