An update to Dulles International Airport’s (IAD) long-term Master Plan development framework has been approved by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board of directors.
The updated plan includes a number of suggestions for future airport facilities, as well as considerations for the acceleration of growth of passengers travelling through IAD and the introduction of more airlines offering nonstop international services.
With annual passenger activity expected to grow by over 30% by 2030 when compared to figures from 2024, new additions to the Master Plan include the implementation of new concourses organised in existing and additional ‘tiers’, an expansion of the main Terminal and connector to Concourses A and B (Tier 1), new parking garages located closer to the Main Terminal, a consolidated rental car facility within a new garage structure.
Plans also discuss the introduction of expanded aircraft aprons and taxiways, a fifth runway, an expansion of the fuel farm and the implementation of land for non-aeronautical development adjacent to Autopilot Drive.
The Plan’s update, which is required by law for all major US Airports by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), first began in 2020 and included extensive research into existing facilities and operations, as well as forecasts for any future airline activity.
Those dictating the plan presented a number of alternative development scenarios to internal and external stakeholders at a series of workshops and advisory committee meetings during the plan drafting process.
The plan is now expected to be sent to the FAA for concurrence.
