What’s On The Horizon For: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority

With multiple new route launches this year, Washington Dulles International Airport’s (IAD) international capacity is set to jump by about 24% in 2023 compared with the previous 12 months.

New air service has been opened by the likes of Play, Norse Atlantic Airways, ITA Airways and WestJet, commencing flights to destinations including Berlin, London Gatwick and Vancouver. Kuwait Airways will also start a nonstop service at the beginning of December; Swiss International Air commencing daily flights between Washington and its Zürich base in March next year, and Aeromexico introducing daily Mexico City service from July.

Paul Bobson, Vice President of Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), says: “Having added 10 new airlines and 12 new routes equates to about 900,000 additional annual seats.”

Passenger levels have soared at the U.S. Capital Region’s main gateways, with IAD achieving a 30.5% increase in the nine months to September 2023 versus 2022, and Reagan National Airport (DCA) growing passenger levels by 9.4% in the same period.

Boasting more than 40 airlines, Bobson says MWAA aims to further expand global connectivity, with a focus on connecting capitals. Reviewing its local expat population has also provided the organization with a focus on connecting those individuals, whether for business or leisure.