Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport marked its 73rd anniversary on Monday, June 16, with a series of passenger appreciation events.

In celebration of this milestone, Reagan National is hosting a twitter trivia event for followers of  @Reagan_Airport, treating passengers to free gifts, a photo booth with a Washington, D.C.-centric backdrop, a musical performance in the airport and a guest appearance by George Washington.

“Reagan National Airport has survived and thrived through 73 years of dynamic changes thanks to the unwavering support of its loyal users,” said Airport Manager Paul Malandrino. “We want to share this milestone with travelers and thank our passengers for choosing our airport.”

The historic landmark airport and transportation hub in the Washington metropolitan area was created on land reclaimed from the Potomac River 73 years ago and served a mere 340,000 passengers in its first year. Today Reagan National is slated to exceed 21 million travelers in 2014 and contributes more than $4.5 billion to the region’s economy.

The iconic airport has adapted during its 73 years to accommodate larger jet aircraft and additional travelers. That process is continuing as the airport works to address current and future needs, including the addition of as many as 2 million new passengers as a result of the changes brought on by the American Airlines / US Airways merger.

Reagan National’s efforts to improve the passenger experience include an increased social media presence and a massive redevelopment of airport shopping and dining options. The new shops and restaurants that are being unveiled will improve current offerings and provide even more world-class options for those traveling to the historic airport. The significant concessions redevelopment will benefit passengers for years to come.

Reagan National Airport recently revamped its Terminal A offerings, opened Legal Sea Foods, Brighton Collectibles and is adding Ben’s Chili Bowl and other local favorites to its food and retail choices. Construction of the shops and restaurants announced in Phase 1 continues to move toward completion.

For more information about Reagan National Airport’s 73rd anniversary visit flyreagan.com

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, established in 1987 by the governments of Virginia and the District of Columbia, manages and operates Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International airports, which together serve more than 40 million passengers a year. The Airports Authority also operates and maintains the Dulles Airport Access Road and the Dulles Toll Road and manages construction of the Silver Line project, a 23-mile extension of the Washington region’s Metrorail system into Loudoun County, Va. No tax dollars are used to operate the toll road, which is funded by toll revenues, or the airports, which are funded through aircraft landing fees, rents and revenues from concessions. The Silver Line construction is funded by a combination of toll-road revenues, airport contributions and federal, state and local government appropriations. The Airports Authority is led by a 17-member board of directors, appointed by the governors of Virginia, Maryland, the mayor of Washington, D.C., and the president of the United States, and generates more than 387,000 jobs and 4.5 percent of GDP in the National Capital Region.

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