President Donald Trump unveiled a $20 to $22.5 billion plan to overhaul Washington Dulles International Airport, aiming to modernize the facility and improve traveler experience. The announcement was made on July 29, 2026, at the White House, where Trump emphasized the need to transform what he described as one of the worst airports in the world into a top-tier international gateway.
Central to the project is the removal of the airport’s long-criticized people movers, specialized shuttles that transport passengers between terminals. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy described these vehicles as outdated and slow, likening them to “Star Wars” transports. The plan calls for replacing these shuttles with a fully built-out underground train system and pedestrian tunnels equipped with moving walkways, allowing for easier terminal access.
The redesign includes construction of new terminals, adding a fifth terminal to replace the current four, and a significant expansion of passenger facilities. Over 5 million square feet of new or renovated space is planned, including complete replacements of Concourses C and D, while preserving the airport’s iconic original terminal designed by Eero Saarinen. The airport will also see the addition of a large parking garage accommodating approximately 32,000 vehicles, featuring architectural details like large glass windows and gold-mirrored ceilings.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) will primarily finance the project through bond issuance, with contributions expected from airlines, including United Airlines. MWAA CEO Jack Potter said the initiative would not require federal funding and emphasized efforts to minimize construction impacts on travelers. United CEO Scott Kirby and MWAA board member Trent Morse were present alongside Trump for the announcement.
The overhaul aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to revamp the Washington region’s infrastructure and public spaces, part of a larger vision Trump has pursued since taking office. While some of the president’s other projects in the capital have sparked controversy, his plan for Dulles has drawn a measure of bipartisan approval.
Passengers and airport employees have expressed frustration with the existing people movers, citing frequent delays and safety concerns. In November 2025, a people mover accident injured 18 people, further highlighting the system’s limitations. Critics and officials alike have pointed to the mobile lounges as outdated, noting that the original airport design, dating back to 1958, relied on these shuttles because the modernist terminal was constructed without traditional concourses or gates.
Trump praised Saarinen’s original architectural vision but underscored the need for a more efficient and navigable airport. “It should be a great airport, and it’s not a good airport at all. It’s a terrible airport,” he said. The overhaul is expected to take several years to complete and represents one of the largest airport renovation projects in recent U.S. history.