Letter from our CEO
Airports have a major impact on the communities they serve , supporting jobs and economic growth as well as providing vital transportation services and infrastructure . In the National Capital Region , the two-airport system of Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International is among the area ’ s largest drivers of commerce , employment and expansion of our vibrant tourism industry .
Since Reagan National opened for business in 1941 , followed by Dulles International in 1962 , Washington ’ s two-airport system has been an integral part of the community . Our airports link the U . S . capital to cities and countries across the nation and around the world . The Airports Authority ’ s business operations support more than 187,000 jobs and help generate billions of dollars each year in wages . That includes state and local tax revenue and spending by our workers , business partners and the 8.5 million visitors who fly to Washington for business and leisure .
Besides managing the airports , our operations include managing the Dulles Toll Road , a major commuter route in Northern Virginia , and overseeing construction of the recently completed Silver Line extension of the Washington region ’ s Metrorail public transit system . The November 2022 opening of the Silver Line at Dulles puts Reagan National and Dulles International on the Metro system , providing convenient and economical access for our customers and making our airports the best in the nation in terms of access to public transit .
Because our 1,600 employees live here in the National Capital Region , we engage with our surrounding communities in many ways – including involvement with area schools , business and civic organizations , charities such as the Special Olympics , job-training programs and other forms of outreach and support . To promote and protect public safety , our airport police and fire departments take part in a region-wide mutual aid program in which first responders help each other handle emergency situations and major events .
We also strive to be good stewards of the environment . Because airports can be significant sources of air emissions and other impacts , we have an aggressive sustainability program to optimize the environmental performance of our operations and facilities . Additionally , we are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workforce to continually improve our services to the traveling public as we build the transportation infrastructure of the future . We hope this report provides a good picture of our policies , programs , goals and accomplishments in these important areas , and we appreciate your interest in the social responsibility efforts of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority .
Sincerely ,
John E . Potter President and Chief Executive Officer
Letter from our CEO
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