President Donald Trump has scheduled a Wednesday meeting to discuss his proposal for a complete renovation of Washington Dulles International Airport, the White House announced, following his sharp criticism of the facility’s current state last December.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will join the discussions about the future of the federally-owned airport that serves the Washington D.C. metropolitan area.
Located approximately 25 miles from the nation’s capital, the airport first opened its doors in 1962 and is preparing to unveil a new 435,000-square-foot concourse with 14 gates dedicated to United Airlines passengers this fall.
The facility experienced its busiest year on record in 2025, according to Tuesday’s report from the airport authority, processing 29 million passengers—a 6.4% increase. Meanwhile, nearby Reagan National Airport experienced a 5.4% decline in passenger traffic.
During December remarks, Trump expressed his intention to reconstruct Dulles, stating “because it’s not a good airport. It should be a great airport… They have a great building and a bad airport.”
The president indicated he has developed a new architectural vision for the airport’s redesign.
The current terminal building was created by Finnish architect Eero Saarinen and features a distinctive sloping roof that curves skyward on both ends. Architecture experts recognize it as an outstanding representation of Mid-Century Modern design.
In December, the Transportation Department issued requests for comprehensive renovation proposals, which could include demolishing the landmark main terminal building.
Department officials complained about “jet fuel smell in the concourses” and the “paltry” gate count in the primary terminal, declaring that Dulles “is no longer an airport suitable and grand enough for the capital of the United States.”
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority operates the facility through a 50-year congressional lease agreement.
Recent media reports indicated Trump proposed releasing his hold on $16 billion in funding for a crucial New York Hudson River tunnel project in return for Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer’s support for renaming both Dulles Airport and New York Penn Station in Trump’s honor.
Florida state legislators approved measures last week to rename Palm Beach International Airport after the president.
The airport currently bears the name of John Foster Dulles, who held the position of secretary of state during President Dwight Eisenhower’s administration in the 1950s.
