WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has unveiled a US$22bil plan on Wednesday to rebuild Washington Dulles airport by replacing concourses and adding a large parking garage while preserving the landmark main terminal.
The announcement is the latest in a series of major projects he has announced in and around the US capital.
“It’s considered one of the worst airports anywhere in the world, we’re going to make it maybe the best with some hard work,” Trump said, arguing it was time “for a major and long overdue renovation and reconstruction of Washington’s really horribly-thought of Dulles.”
Trump, who was joined by United Airlines chief executive officer Scott Kirby and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy at the White House, has been pushing for an overhaul of the airport that is the main international gateway for the national capital region.
The plan includes five million sq ft of new or renovated airport space and will be funded through municipal bonds, raising questions about what it will mean for the cost of flights. The airport authority had already approved a separate US$7bil capital plan for Dulles.
Trump said United would partly fund the project. The airline did not immediately respond to a question on the funding.
United is the largest carrier at Dulles, handling about 70% of the traffic.
The airport is operated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority under a 50-year lease approved by Congress. — Reuters
