Owais Crawford
Washington Dulles International Airport, a hub for United Airlines, opened on November 17, 1962, and was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy and Eisenhower. The airport, which was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, has grown from serving 54,800 travellers in its first year to over 24 million today. But when was it built?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Construction | 1962 |
| Date of Opening | November 17, 1962 |
| Number of Travellers in the First Year | 54,800 |
| Current Average Number of Travellers Per Year | 23 million |
| Number of Airlines Operating in 1962 | 6 |
| Current Number of Airlines Operating | 34 |
| Current Number of Nonstop Destinations | Over 130 |
| Date of Construction of the First Midfield Terminal | 1985 |
| Date of Construction of the New Control Tower | 2007 |
| Date of Construction of the Third Parallel Runway | November 20, 2008 |
| Date of Construction of the Polaris Lounge | 2023 |
| Date of Construction of the Solar Power Facility | 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Dulles International Airport opened in 1962
Dulles International Airport, now known as Washington Dulles International Airport, opened 60 years ago on November 17, 1962. The airport was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy and President Eisenhower, who had selected the site in 1958. The main terminal was designed in 1958 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and is highly regarded for its beauty and grace, which is suggestive of flight.
Dulles Airport was built to serve the nation's capital, Washington. Before World War II, Hoover Field was Washington's main commercial airport, located on the site now occupied by the Pentagon and its parking lots. In 1941, Hoover Field was replaced by Washington National Airport, situated a short distance southeast. After the war, in 1948, the Civil Aeronautics Administration began to consider sites for a second major airport to serve Washington. Congress passed the Washington Airport Act in 1950 to provide funding for a new airport in the region.
The initial proposal in 1951 suggested building the airport in Fairfax County, but protests from residents and the rapid expansion of Washington's suburbs led to the site being reconsidered. One competing plan called for the airport to be built in the Pender area of Fairfax County, while another suggested converting Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Maryland, into a commercial airport. The current site was eventually selected by President Eisenhower in 1958, and the airport was constructed over the lesser-known Blue Ridge Airport, Loudoun County's first official airport, which consisted of two grass intersecting runways in the shape of an "X".
Since opening in 1962, Dulles International Airport has grown significantly. In its first year, the airport served over 54,800 travellers, while today it serves over 23 million passengers annually. The number of airlines operating at the airport has also increased from six in 1962 to 34 today, offering flights to more than 130 nonstop destinations worldwide.
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The airport was designed by Finnish-American architect, Eero Saarinen
Washington Dulles International Airport opened on November 17, 1962, and has been in operation for 60 years as of 2022. The airport was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy and President Eisenhower, who had selected the site in 1958.
The main terminal was designed in 1958 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen. Saarinen is known for his graceful and beautiful designs, and the Dulles terminal is considered one of his most iconic works. The terminal is highly regarded for its aesthetic beauty, which is suggestive of flight. The graceful curves and sweeping lines of the building's structure evoke a sense of movement and elegance, reflecting the essence of air travel.
Saarinen's design for the terminal included no concourses or gates, as all aircraft were originally parked at remote sites. Passengers would board buses, or "mobile lounges," that would raise up to the level of the aircraft. Some of these mobile lounges are still in use today, preserving a piece of aviation history.
The Finnish-American architect's design philosophy often incorporated elements of his Finnish heritage, blending modern and organic forms. This unique style, combined with his innovative use of materials, has earned Saarinen a reputation as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. His work on the Dulles terminal showcases his ability to create functional spaces that are also visually stunning.
The construction of the airport also involved some community displacement. The selected site for the airport led to the demolition of the unincorporated, predominantly African-American community of Willard, and the condemnation of the holdings of 87 property owners.
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The site was selected by President Eisenhower in 1958
The site for Dulles International Airport was selected by President Eisenhower in 1958. The airport was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy and Eisenhower on November 17, 1962, and has since been in operation.
The airport was originally named Dulles International Airport, after President Eisenhower's aviation advisor, Pete Quesada, who was the first head of the Federal Aviation Administration. The site for the airport was chosen after the Civil Aeronautics Administration began considering sites for a second major airport to serve the nation's capital in 1948. The Washington Airport Act was passed in 1950 to provide funding for a new airport in the region.
The initial proposal in 1951 suggested building the airport in Fairfax County, near what is now Burke Lake Park. However, due to protests from residents and the rapid expansion of Washington's suburbs, the site was reconsidered. One competing plan suggested the Pender area of Fairfax County, while another proposed converting Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George's County, Maryland, into a commercial airport.
Ultimately, President Eisenhower selected the current site in 1958. The main terminal was designed that same year by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and is known for its graceful beauty and suggestive form of flight. The airport was built over the lesser-known Blue Ridge Airport, which was Loudoun County's first official airport, consisting of two grass intersecting runways in the shape of an "X".
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The airport was built over Loudoun County's first official airport, Blue Ridge Airport
The Washington Dulles International Airport opened on November 17, 1962, and has since become a hub for United Airlines and other Star Alliance members. Before World War II, Hoover Field was Washington's main commercial airport, but it was replaced by Washington National Airport in 1941. In 1948, the Civil Aeronautics Administration began considering sites for a second major airport to serve the nation's capital. After several competing plans and proposals, President Eisenhower selected the current site in 1958, and the airport was dedicated by President John F. Kennedy and Eisenhower in 1962.
The Dulles airport was built over Loudoun County's first official airport, the lesser-known Blue Ridge Airport. Chartered in 1938, Blue Ridge Airport consisted of two grass intersecting runways in the shape of an "X". The current site of the Dulles airport was once occupied by the unincorporated, largely African-American community of Willard, which was demolished, and 87 property owners had their holdings condemned.
The main terminal of the Dulles airport was designed by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and is known for its graceful beauty and suggestive design. The terminal was built without any concourses or gates, and passengers were bussed to their aircraft via mobile lounges, some of which are still in use today. Over the years, the airport has undergone expansions and renovations, including the addition of a new concourse and gates to accommodate increasing air traffic.
Today, the Dulles airport serves over 23 million passengers a year, with 34 airlines offering flights to more than 130 nonstop destinations worldwide. The airport continues to expand and improve its facilities, celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2022 with various events and exhibits showcasing its history.
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Dulles is a hub for United Airlines
Washington Dulles International Airport, which first opened in 1962, is a hub for United Airlines. The airport is also frequently used by Star Alliance members, such as Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, with which United Airlines has codeshare agreements. Additionally, it serves as a hub for regional operators Mesa, GoJet, and CommuteAir, who operate under the United Express brand.
Dulles has undergone significant growth and development since its opening. In 2007, the airport halted operations of its original control tower and transitioned to a taller control tower located away from the main terminal. That same year, the airport accommodated 24.7 million passengers. The following year, a third parallel north-south runway was opened, marking the first new runway constructed since the airport's initial construction.
United Airlines has actively contributed to the expansion of Dulles. The airline has constructed a 20,000-square-foot buildout on Concourse C for use as a Polaris Lounge for international passengers. Furthermore, United Airlines has plans for further expansion, including the development of a new three-story south concourse building above the AeroTrain station for Concourse C.
The airport's location and infrastructure have played a role in shaping its role as a hub for United Airlines. The site for the airport was selected by President Eisenhower in 1958, and the main terminal was designed by renowned Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen, known for its graceful beauty and suggestion of flight. Decades-old rules set by Congress aimed to maintain a higher volume of flights at Dulles compared to Reagan Airport. However, the weakening of these rules over time has led to a shift, causing Dulles to experience a loss of passengers to Reagan Airport.
Despite this challenge, Dulles continues to be an important airport, serving over 23 million passengers annually and offering flights to more than 130 nonstop destinations worldwide. The airport's 60th-anniversary celebrations in 2022 showcased its rich history and ongoing development.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport was opened on November 17, 1962.
The original name of the airport was Dulles International Airport. In 1984, it was changed to Washington Dulles International Airport.
The main terminal was designed in 1958 by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen.
In its first year, Dulles served over 54,800 travelers.
The airport was built over a lesser-known airport named Blue Ridge Airport, which was Loudoun County's first official airport.
