As a busy summer season ends, data through July show strong passenger growth over 2022 levels at Dulles International and Reagan National airports so far in 2023. The numbers were boosted by new and incumbent airlines adding non-stop flights at Dulles, as well as strong travel demand at both airports. With 2,328 more scheduled international flights in 2023 than in 2019, Dulles became the fastest-growing international gateway airport in the United States. As airport activity increased, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority introduced several enhancements for travelers.
“With nearly 40 airlines to choose from, it was a great summer at the Airports Authority as customers from around the world used our airports to reach more destinations than ever before,” said Chryssa Westerlund, the Authority’s executive vice president and chief revenue officer. “Travelers who passed through our airports also enjoyed a wide variety of great new concessions and amenities. Even more are on the way.”
Passenger Growth
Data from January through July show Dulles passenger activity growth approaching 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Reagan passenger activity in the same timeframe was at or above 2022 levels – which exceeded pre-pandemic numbers. The full report is available here.
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International passenger growth led the way at Dulles with a 30.5 percent increase year-to-date in 2023 versus 2022.
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At Reagan National, passenger levels grew 9.4 percent so far in 2023 versus 2022. In summer, passenger traffic leveled off as a result of airline capacity reductions to New York City, imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration to accommodate Air Traffic Control staff shortages, as well as fewer late-night flights at DCA while an important runway rehabilitation project moved forward.
New Flights and New Destinations
Four new airlines launched nonstop flights in 2023 from Dulles International Airport, including Play, Norse Atlantic Airways, ITA and WestJet. New nonstop destinations from Dulles include Berlin, Vancouver, London Gatwick, Calgary and Barbados. Service to existing cities increased with new service on Play airlines to Reykjavik, ITA Airways to Rome, United Airlines to Calgary and Alaska Airlines to San Diego. With its multiple route launches, Dulles became the fastest-growing U.S. airport for international flight activity. In addition, American diversified its regional destinations from Reagan National by starting service to Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Madison, Wisconsin; on the same date in June.
Looking ahead, Kuwait Airways has announced new nonstop service to Kuwait City, beginning on December 6, 2023, and Swiss International Air Lines has announced new nonstop flights to Zurich, beginning on April 1, 2024.
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