Dulles International Airport Leads U.S. in International Growth Since 2019

Dulles International Airport, situated just outside Washington, D.C., has emerged as the fastest-growing international gateway airport in the United States since 2019, based on data from Cirium. The airport has witnessed an impressive increase in scheduled international flights in 2023, adding 2,328 more than it had in 2019. This growth translates to a remarkable 33% surge in flight numbers and a substantial 26.9% increase in available seats.

The expansion of Dulles’ international network has been driven by several foreign airlines launching new or expanded services to the U.S. capital, particularly from Europe and Asia. Notable airlines that have recently announced or initiated flights to Dulles in 2023 include SWISS, Lufthansa, ITA Airways, Norse Atlantic Airways, and WestJet. These airlines have introduced new routes connecting Dulles to exciting destinations like Zurich, Berlin, Rome, London Gatwick, and Calgary.

Dulles International Airport serves as a primary hub for United Airlines, operating an extensive network of over 200 daily flights to more than 100 domestic and international destinations. United has also bolstered its services to Dulles from various U.S. cities, including Denver, Houston, and San Francisco. Furthermore, United has unveiled plans to launch new flights from Dulles to Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; and Johannesburg, South Africa in 2024.

As one of the busiest airports in the U.S. and globally, Dulles served more than 24 million passengers in 2019. The airport has been actively enhancing its facilities and services, including the addition of new security checkpoints, baggage systems, concourses, and gates. Additionally, it is expected to benefit from the completion of the Silver Line Metro extension, which will connect Dulles to downtown Washington via rail by 2024.

Dulles International Airport’s remarkable growth underscores its pivotal role as a thriving international gateway, connecting travelers to an expanding array of global destinations.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, Dulles International Airport