Trump Announces Major Redesign for 'Terrible' Dulles Airport
President Trump announced a sweeping plan to rebuild Washington Dulles International Airport, marking a significant commitment to infrastructure modernization in the nation’s capital region. During a December 2, 2025 cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump characterized the 62-year-old facility as “terrible” and outlined his administration’s vision for comprehensive redesign.
The airport’s current challenges center on its original mid-20th century design philosophy. While Eero Saarinen’s 1962 main terminal remains one of America’s most iconic architectural achievements, the facility’s supporting infrastructure has struggled to evolve with regional growth. “We have a great building and a bad airport, but we’re going to turn that around,” Trump stated, acknowledging the terminal’s architectural merit while condemning its operational inefficiencies.
The core problem lies in Dulles’ original concept: a fleet of mobile lounges that ferry passengers between the terminal and midfield aircraft ramps. Though the airport later added underground trains and traditional concourses, mobile lounges and “plane mates” remain integral to international operations. This aging system has drawn increased scrutiny following a recent mobile lounge crash that injured 18 passengers, renewing calls for modernization.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed the administration’s urgency, announcing that the Department of Transportation will soon open formal bid processes for infrastructure improvements. “It’s not a great airport, which we can make great in this administration,” Duffy said. Trump’s nominee to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board, Trent Morse, has already publicly committed to phasing out the mobile lounge fleet.
The project carries significant implications for the region. Dulles handled more than 25 million passengers last year and serves the Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Maryland corridor. The airport sits approximately 30 miles from downtown Washington.
Trump’s development background informs his approach to the project. His track record includes transforming New York’s Commodore Hotel into the Grand Hyatt and reconstructing Wollman Rink ahead of schedule and under budget. He has long championed decisive action on poorly designed public infrastructure.
While the administration has not yet released specific timelines or cost estimates, officials confirmed that opening the formal bid process represents the first step. Trump reiterated his commitment: “We’re going to make Dulles Airport serving Washington and Virginia, Maryland, etcetera into something really spectacular.” The modernization effort signals broader federal infrastructure priorities and promises to reshape one of America’s most architecturally significant yet operationally challenged airports.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764705646237-1074