Washington Dulles International Airport
Large HubDulles, VA · IAD
Recent News
Updated Mar 14, 2026Washington Dulles International Airport was placed under a ground stop on March 13 along with Reagan National and BWI airports due to a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON air traffic control facility. The FAA confirmed the smell was caused by an overheated circuit board. The ground stop was lifted around 7:45 p.m., but delays continued overnight.
Southwest Airlines announced on March 13 it will discontinue service to Washington Dulles International Airport effective June 4, 2026, as part of the airline's ongoing efforts to refine its network. Southwest will continue serving the Washington-Baltimore region through Reagan National and BWI airports, offering up to 271 daily departures to 79 nonstop destinations combined.
Washington Dulles International Airport experienced significant travel disruption on March 12 with 91 recorded flight delays and 8 cancellations across domestic and international services. The disruptions affected airlines including United, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Emirates, impacting connections to destinations including London, Frankfurt, Dubai, and New York.
The Trump administration is holding talks to reach agreement on a massive, multi-billion dollar rebuild of Washington Dulles International Airport. Critics say Dulles is in need of modernization, with complaints about slow mobile lounge vehicles and jet fuel smell in concourses. The airport authority in 2025 approved a master capital plan to spend at least $7 billion overhauling Dulles.
Airport Profile
Key Financial Data (FY 2024)
Enplaned Passengers (FAA CATS)
Cost per Enplanement (CPE)
Revenue
Expense
Ratemaking Overview
Net residual allocation: aeronautical net remaining revenues (after non-aeronautical revenue offsets and facility charges) allocated among signatory airlines proportional to usage metrics (operations, terminal area occupied, ramp usage)
Settlement & True-Up
Monthly billing with detailed statement of all charges; annual comprehensive reconciliation and true-up adjustment
Annual true-up: actual costs reconciled against estimated amounts; overpayments credited or underpayments billed to signatory airlines by March 31 of following fiscal year
Extraordinary Coverage Protection (ECP)
Not available
Landing Fee Methodology
Base landing fee of $4.25 per 1,000 lbs subject to annual adjustment per net residual calculation; allocated to signatory airlines
Terminal Rental Rate
Terminal rents charged per rentable square foot of assigned space on net residual basis; rates vary by terminal area and facility type
Common Use & Gate Allocation
Additional Bonds Test
Maximum Annual Debt Service on all outstanding bonds including proposed new bonds must not exceed 75% of projected Net Revenues for the fiscal year of issuance, or alternative test based on historical coverage
Rate Covenant
Airports Authority will fix and adjust fees and charges to produce Net Revenues at least sufficient for the larger of: (a) amounts needed for debt service deposits, reserve funds, and subordinated obligations, or (b) not less than 125% of Annual Debt Service on all Bonds
Flow of Funds
Net Revenues → Senior Debt Service (Principal + Interest Accounts) → Debt Service Reserve Fund (Common Reserve Account) → Subordinated Bond Funds → Remaining Net Revenues (operations/capital)
Source Documents
Financial Statements
Budgets
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