The Washington region’s two major airports contributed more than $18 billion to the local economy in 2005, according to figures released today by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — which collectively employ about 28,500 people — generated the billion-dollar figure through both direct airport spending and indirect visitor spending.
Much of the 2005 figure was related to the ongoing expansion of Dulles. In 2005, the Airports Authority spent $464 million on the project, which included completion of a new air traffic control tower and additional gateways linked to the main terminal. Those projects employed 2,600 construction workers. An environmental impact study looking at the effects of a fourth and fifth runway was also completed in December.
The two airports generated a combined revenue of $6.4 billion, which was largely dependent on passenger traffic. Both airports increased their passenger traffic numbers in 2005. Reagan National set a new record with nearly 17.8 million passengers — a 12 percent increase over 2004. Dulles’ traffic increased by 18 percent with 27 million passengers in 2005.
“Washington’s airports are major contributors to our local economy,” said James E. Bennett, president and CEO of the Airports Authority, in a statement. “In addition to their immeasurable value in connecting our region to the world and enabling us to travel conveniently for business and leisure.”
Taking off
Dulles and Reagan National’s economic impact in 2005:
Revenue
» Dulles: $4.626 billion
» National: $1.845 billion
Jobs
» Dulles: 19,414
» National: 9,155
Source: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
