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More than 19 million travelers are expected to pass through Dulles International and Reagan National airports from May through August, bringing a surge of activity as the region prepares for visitors celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday.
The busy season arrives with competing pressures. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter said at a May 20 board meeting that the airports face major opportunities alongside significant challenges, including reduced international traffic caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
Six airlines at Dulles — Etihad, Emirates, Royal Jordanian, Qatar, Saudia and United — fly directly to Middle Eastern destinations affected by the U.S. war with Iran. Turkish Airlines, Egyptair and Ethiopian Airlines serve locations near the 11-country conflict zone.
International passenger traffic through Dulles has fallen 2% since the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28, beginning the current round of fighting. Potter said the authority looks forward to the conflict’s end.
At the same time, Washington’s semiquincentennial celebrations could bring thousands of additional visitors to the region. Potter said airport teams have been working overtime to prepare for what officials expect to be a memorable summer.
Dulles is scheduled to host 45 airlines offering 304 daily departures to 100 domestic and 63 international destinations. Reagan National’s eight airlines are expected to operate 420 daily flights serving 102 domestic and six international destinations.
Travelers are being urged to reserve airport parking before arriving. During the spring-break peak, Reagan National’s parking facilities reached 96% of capacity, while Dulles reached 90%.
New Dining Options Arrive at Both Airports
Several concessions are opening or planned for the summer.
Colada Shop near Reagan National’s C gates will offer Cuban-style food, coffee and cocktails. Busboys and Poets, located at the end of the D gates, will serve globally influenced comfort food in its community-focused restaurant and café.
At Dulles, Clyde’s is coming to Concourse D with American tavern food and a full bar. A seventh airport Starbucks is planned for Concourse C.
Concourse B will gain 2 Silos Brewing Co., featuring local beer, craft drinks and a regionally inspired menu. Shenandoah Marketplace and Starbucks will combine locally made products with a full-service café in the same concourse.
Dulles Concourse E Targets September Opening
Dulles’ new 14-gate Concourse E remains on schedule to open in September, according to MWAA Chief Revenue Officer Chryssa Westerlund.
The gates and adjoining terminal facilities will be used by United Airlines, Dulles’ largest carrier. Exterior construction is mostly finished, and crews have turned their attention to interior work, MWAA Chief Operations Officer Thomas Beatty said.
Construction of concession spaces and United club facilities is also underway. About 650 workers are at the project site each day.
The concourse carries a price tag of roughly $500 million. Nearly $190 million in federal grants has supported the work so far.
MWAA provided few new details about a broader airport expansion sought by the Trump administration. The authority is continuing with its existing $7 billion growth plan while considering a wider proposal that it has said could cost more than three times as much. Potter said plans could be finalized in the coming weeks and months.
April Traffic Slips After a Strong March
The two airports recorded 2.25 million passenger boardings in March 2026, helped by spring-break travel occurring largely that month instead of April.
Passenger totals weakened in April amid the calendar shift, economic uncertainty and higher airfares partly linked to the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Dulles has also added service on two sharply different routes. United restored daily nonstop flights to Lynchburg after a 25-year absence, using 50-seat regional jets for the round trip.
Air Premia began service between Dulles and Seoul in April. The nearly 7,000-mile route operates four days per week aboard Boeing 787 aircraft configured for 320 premium-economy and economy passengers.