Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Large HubBaltimore, MD · BWI
Recent News
Updated Mar 28, 2026The FAA issued ground stops at BWI, Reagan National, and Dulles airports on Friday, March 27, 2026 after a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON facility in Warrenton, Va. impacted air traffic controllers. Ground stops lasted until approximately 8 p.m., with delays exceeding 90 minutes at some airports. This was the second such incident in two weeks.
Baltimore/Washington International Airport experienced 230 flight delays and 30 cancellations on March 18, 2026, stranding hundreds of passengers. Major routes to New York, Atlanta, Orlando, and Chicago faced the brunt of disruptions. Aviation officials predicted ripple effects through March 19 as crews hit duty limits.
Southwest Airlines announced on March 13, 2026 that it will end all service to Washington Dulles International Airport effective June 4, 2026, as part of network refinement efforts. BWI remains Southwest's largest East Coast base with up to 271 daily departures combined with Reagan National, solidifying its position as the airline's primary regional hub.
Baltimore/Washington International Airport opened its new A/B Connector on January 9, 2026, months ahead of the originally planned summer 2026 opening. The nearly $500 million project is the largest capital project in BWI's history, featuring 142,000 square feet of new space, direct connection between concourses, expanded hold rooms, new food and retail spaces, and a state-of-the-art baggage handling system processing 3,400 bags per hour.
Airport Profile
Key Financial Data (FY 2025)
Enplaned Passengers (FAA CATS)
Cost per Enplanement (CPE)
Revenue
Expense
Ratemaking Overview
Settlement & True-Up
Not available
Extraordinary Coverage Protection (ECP)
Not available
Landing Fee Methodology
Airfield cost center net of non-airline revenues divided by estimated landed weight
Terminal Rental Rate
Terminal cost center allocated by rentable square footage
Common Use & Gate Allocation
Additional Bonds Test
Department must provide Trustee with one of the following: (a)(i) if for Completion or Extraordinary Maintenance: Airport Consultant report that estimated Net Pledged Revenues for each of three full Bond Years following date proceeds fully applied is projected to be not less than Debt Service Requirements of all outstanding Bonds and Other Obligations as of last day of each such Bond Year, and Engineer's report that proceeds do not exceed amount necessary for intended purpose; or (a)(ii) for Completion only: Certificate that aggregate principal amount not greater than 10% of Bonds issued to finance the project; (b) if for Refunding: Certificate that Maximum Annual Debt Service assuming Additional Bonds issued and refunded obligations no longer outstanding will not be increased; or (c) Certificate that (i) Net Pledged Revenues received in most recent Bond Year was not less than sum of 125% of Maximum Annual Debt Service taking into account Additional Bonds plus 100% of Debt Service Requirements of Other Obligations; or (ii) based on Airport Consultant report, during each of three Bond Years after delivery of Additional Bonds, estimated Net Pledged Revenues projected to be not less than sum of 125% of Debt Service Requirements taking into account Additional Bonds plus 100% of Debt Service Requirements of Other Obligations. For Programs (draw-down bonds over multiple years): compliance may be determined at time of issuance of any Series provided period over which Additional Bonds issued does not exceed three years and aggregate principal amount set forth in Certificate or Airport Consultant report.
Rate Covenant
Net Pledged Revenues in each Bond Year must be at least (i) 125% of Debt Service Requirements of all outstanding Bonds for such Bond Year; and (ii) 100% of Debt Service Requirements of all outstanding Other Obligations for such Bond Year. Net Pledged Revenues = Pledged Revenues minus Operating Expenses. While secured by gross revenue pledge, Rate Covenant is structured on net revenues basis.
Flow of Funds
Gross revenue pledge of Pledged Revenues. All Pledged Revenues deposited to Pledged Revenue Fund, then applied monthly in priority order: (1) Operating Expenses (paid from Transportation Trust Fund after monthly transfer from Pledged Revenue Fund), (2) Bond Fund (monthly deposits of 1/12 of annual debt service for upcoming payment dates), (3) Debt Service Reserve Fund (monthly deposits to cure any deficiency within 12 months), (4) Subordinate Debt Fund (if any subordinate obligations exist), (5) Redemption Fund (amounts designated for optional redemption). If Pledged Revenues insufficient, amounts in Transportation Trust Fund may (at Department's discretion) be available subject to General Assembly appropriation, but Transportation Trust Fund is NOT pledged to Bonds.
Source Documents
Official Statements
Source: FAA CATS Form 5100-127, DOT T-100 Market Data, Airport Official Statements · Hub classification: FAA CY 2024 Enplanement Data · Prepared by DWU Consulting