President Trump announced a sweeping $22 billion plan Wednesday to overhaul Washington Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia that will include building new terminals and eliminating the airport’s infamous “people mover” shuttle system.
During an Oval Office event, the president unveiled on his desk a scale model of the project, which he said will add more than 5 million square feet of new and renovated space, a new parking garage with 32,000 spaces and glass-enclosed bridges to the terminal, a new hotel plus more restaurants and shops.
The president called the renovation “long overdue.”
“It’s considered one of the worst airports in the world; we’re going to make it maybe the best,” Mr. Trump said. “This transformation is another step in our ongoing efforts to make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful again.”
The plans call for the preservation of the airport’s “iconic” terminal design as the primary entrance, the president said.
Mr. Trump was flanked by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, United CEO Scott Kirby, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter and MWAA board member Trent Morse.
Mr. Trump heard pitches and was shown mockups over the last several months from various construction companies on potential blueprints for what the refurbished airport could look like. The renovations are to be finished by 2034.
According to the proposal, the present underground train would be expanded to ferry passengers to their terminal gates, as opposed to depending on the often-criticized above-ground airport shuttles, mocked as “people movers.”
Five terminals would be built to replace the current four, with large glass windows. The airport redesign features many gold accents, such as gold-mirrored ceilings.
Additionally, pedestrians will be able to walk between terminals through a new underground tunnel, and more moving walkways would be installed.
The 1960s-era Dulles is a major hub for United Airlines, which has signed on to help pay for the airport overhaul, estimated to cost more than $22 billion. The airport handled 29 million passengers in 2025, up 6.4% from the previous year.
The airport, located about 25 miles from downtown Washington, is managed by the MWAA, which would mainly pay for the renovations by issuing new bonds.
Dulles’ proposed overhaul comes at a time when the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration are upgrading the nation’s air traffic control radar system, targeting the replacement of up to 612 outdated 1980s-era units by June 2028.
The airport is also currently undergoing renovations of Concourse E, a new 435,000-square-foot domestic and international facility that is due to be completed in September.
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