United Airlines secures $22B pre-approval from Trump for massive Dulles Airport overhaul

President Donald Trump has given the green light to a $22 billion plan to completely remake Washington Dulles International Airport, a project that would represent one of the largest single-airport infrastructure investments in US history. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby stood alongside Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for the announcement, underscoring just how central the carrier is to the deal. The project spans roughly a decade and covers everything from terminal renovations to ripping out the airport’s aging “people movers” shuttle system, those quirky lunar-rover-looking vehicles that have been ferrying passengers since the 1980s, and replacing them with a modern underground transit solution. Construction could begin as early as spring 2027. What the money actually buys The plan includes new and renovated concourses and terminals, additional gates, above-ground parking structures, modern baggage handling systems, and that underground transit replacement. United’s main terminal, which has been in service since 1985, is getting a full renovation. United operates the majority of flights at Dulles, which makes the airline less of a partner and more of a co-architect....