Dulles International
Credit : Bong Lee
HOW IT STARTED
In 1958 , the Civil Aeronautics Administration ( forerunner of today ’ s Federal Aviation Administration ) selected world renowned architect Eero Saarinen to design the terminal building , control tower , and service buildings . [ Editor ’ s note : Saarinen is also known for designing the original JFK Terminal and the Gateway Arch in St . Louis , Mo .]
Soon construction of Dulles Airport began . The Main Terminal ’ s curved columns and sloped roof dramatically reached outward toward the sky . The sculpture , envisioned by Saarinen , started coming into view . On November 17 , 1962 President John F . Kennedy officially opened the airport to great fanfare . The Main Terminal design made Dulles one of the most recognized airports in the world .
When the airport opened , custom-designed mobile lounges were introduced and are still in use today .
HOW IT ’ S GOING
Dulles continues to grow , attracting airlines from around the world and nearly every continent . The Main Terminal doubled in size in 1995 . In 1998 , the first permanent concourse opened , and was expanded in 2003 , and again in 2008 . More and more airlines launched service and joined the Dulles family . In 2010 , an underground people mover — called the AeroTrain — was opened and assists the mobile lounge fleet by moving customers around the airport . Soon there after , two new parking garages were built .
This growth meant international arrivals facilities also had to expand . In 1991 , and again 2009 , the International Arrivals Building was expanded to keep up with growing customer demand . Concourse Z opened in 2005 and became the first permanent gates appended to the Main Terminal . In 2008 , Dulles opened its fourth runway to allow for continued growth and convenience for airlines . There are plans for a new Phase 1 Concourse slated to open around 2025 .
Dulles International
Credit : MWAA
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 18 AUTUMN 2022