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History and Facts

 

-Opened June 16, 1941, Washington National Airport was built by the federal government and dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Interior of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

- The airport encompasses 860 acres: 733 on land; 127 on water.

- The airport’s name was officially changed to "Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport" in February 1998 by the United States Congress and President William J. Clinton.

-Metro stop at DCATerminal B/C opened on July 27, 1997. The new terminal has 1 million square feet of floor space spread over three levels, 35 gates in total, and direct connections to the Metrorail public transportation system and the parking garages via two enclosed pedestrian bridges. The terminals' two-level roadway system improves traffic flow through the Airport by sorting incoming and outgoing traffic. National’s historic Terminal A will undergo rehabilitation, and continues its aviation service with nine aircraft gates.

- National Airport has 44 gates; nine in Terminal A and 35 in Terminal B/C.

- In 1946, Washington National Airport passed a milestone of 1 million annual passengers; in 1999, approximately 15 million passengers used the airport with approximately 42,000 passengers a day flying on commercial, general aviation and commuter flights. (Link here for complete operations statistics on National Airport.)

- Aircraft noise regulations were instituted prior to commercial jet operations at National. Aircraft flight patterns follow the Potomac River and pilots practice power thrust reduction on takeoff to reduce noise impacts. There are also aircraft noise limits on flights associated with nighttime noise requirements in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

- Serving as a "short-haul" Airport, National offers nonstop service to destinations no further than 1,250 miles from Washington, D.C.

- Approximately 50,000 vehicles a day travel on the airport roadways.

- Taxicabs serving the airport queue in a two-level 118,000 sq. ft. structure for 500 vehicles. Each day some 5,000 taxicabs are dispatched at the airport. The Airports Authority operates theWashington Flyer Bus Washington Flyer Express Bus providing transportation to downtown Washington DC and to Dulles Airport, and the  SuperShuttle, SuperShuttle a shared-ride van service that will pick up passengers at their home, business or hotel within the Washington metro area and transport them to the airport.

- Public parking is available for nearly 7,500 vehicles, providing Hourly, Daily and Economy choices. Terminal A is serviced by an Hourly surface lot and both Daily surface and garage parking. Terminals B and C are served by Hourly and Daily parking garages. The Economy lot is serviced by Courtesy Shuttle Buses to and from all terminals.

- Over 10,200 people are employed at National Airport. The airport contributes $2.4 billion in business revenues to the regional economy. (Link to a press release with more information....)

- Signature Flight Support serves the general aviation community with 31,000 square feet for terminal, administrative, and office space located in Hanger 7 at the south end of the Airport.

- Seventeen passengers airlines serve National. Daily nonstop service is offered to 62 U.S. cities. Major carriers include: Air Canada; America West; American Airlines; Continental Airlines; Delta Air Lines; Delta Shuttle; Midway Airlines; Midwest Express Airlines; Northwest Airlines; Trans World Airlines; United Air Lines; US Airways; US Airways Shuttle. Regional carriers include: American Eagle; Continental Express; Delta Connection; and US Airways Express.

- There are three runways at National

– 1/19 (6,869 feet)

--15/33 (5,189 feet)

--3/21 (4,505 feet)

-Nearly 100 shops and restaurants in the airport terminals provide visitors with a mix of national, local and regional retail and food concessions.

- Nearly 60 phone carrels with data ports are located throughout the new terminal, making laptop Internet connections convenient.

- Staffed information counters are located at the baggage claim area of Terminal A and at the south and north ends of the concourse in Terminal B/C.

 
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Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority
1 Aviation Circle
Washington, DC 20001-6000