It’s no secret that the often-crowded and often-criticized Dulles International Airport needed an expansion. The airport has seen double-digit passenger increases for years. And airport officials are quick to point out $4 billion worth of construction projects to show what they’re doing about it.
But the improvement projects aren’t just relegated to new subway systems, runways and control towers, officials say.
Airport officials are expected today to officially open Harry’s Tap Room, the only sit-down restaurant outside of the security gates. The restaurant, similar to the Harry’s in Arlington, will be the 19th new eatery to open at Dulles in the past two years, and the first of 18 more new restaurants expected to open in the next year, officials said.
Airport officials entered into a new contract with Westfield Concession Management in 2004 after nearly a decade without any new food services, said Dulles spokeswoman Tara Hamilton.
“Our goal is to renovate the food facilities … [and] provide more varied and up-to-date food options for passengers,” Hamilton said. “Providing more facilities with table service, particularly in the Main Terminal pre-security, has also been a major goal of the renovation.”
Airport officials plan to open several more sit-down eateries this year, including a Gas Light Bakery in Concourse B, Moe’s Grill and Bar in Concourse D and a Cosi in Concourse A.
The airport currently has just six sit-down restaurants in the four concourses and main terminal.
The plan also calls for adding two new Starbucks; a Five Guys Burger and Fries in Concourse A; and a Potbelly Sandwich Works in Concourse C.
“We continue to enhance our food concessions offerings at Dulles Airport, adding fresher, more made-to-order options, and more restaurants where passengers can sit down and enjoy a full meal before their flights,” said James Bennett, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
As far as shopping options, officials said all 37 available storefronts are leased and no new stores will be added until the expansion of Concourse B is completed in 2007.
Expansion plans
» The airport’s kiosk program is limited because of space concerns.
n Dulles set a record with 27 million passengers in 2005, up 18 percent from 22.9 million passengers in 2004.
» The airport is in the midst of a $4 billion construction program that includes the recent completion of a new 325-foot air traffic control tower.
» Work is continuing on a new underground train system that will replace the “mobile lounges” that carry passengers to different concourses.
» Dulles opened five new security checkpoint lanes in 2005, bringing its total number of security lanes to 21.
