In order to enable passengers to make connections to the European destinations, United will also increase its service to Dulles from Atlanta, Denver, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. These seven new domestic and two international flights, represent a 13 percent increase in United's service at Dulles and are expected to result in an additional 800,000 passengers using the Airport each year. The economic impact of these two new international flights for the region could result in revenue generation of $600 million a year.
Said James A. Wilding, President/CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, "This is exciting news for Dulles Airport. Our passengers will now have a wider choice of service to both European and U.S. destinations. The later evening hours will be a welcome advantage for the business traveler as well as those on leisure trips who prefer to take a flight at the end of the work day. This new service is one more example of the flexibility our airport facilities can offer the airlines and passengers we serve."
According to United, the addition of the 9:30 p.m. flights to the earlier 5:00 p.m. bank of flights will give eastbound travelers the option of expanding their business day and expands the connection opportunities from a number of U.S. cities.
Westbound travelers will be able to leave Paris or Frankfurt at 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., again, a more desirable time for business travelers.
Air freight on United Airlines at Dulles has already grown 30.3% over the last year. These two new international United flights will enable cargo customers to take advantage of an extended production and consolidation cycle, and are estimated to add over 80 metric tons of cargo capacity per day.
Washington Dulles has an ongoing expansion program to improve and expand airport facilities to meet the continuing growth in both passenger and cargo service.
In 1997, Dulles served 13.9 million passengers, a one million passenger increase over the previous year.
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