A Future Runway 12R-30L at Dulles

With aircraft operations at Dulles nearly 560,000 annually, expanding the current three-runway system has become a necessity. The first three runways at Dulles date back to the Airport's 1962 opening date. The current Airport master plan allows for a new north-south runway (currently under construction) and a future east-west runway (the fifth runway). Both runways were approved by an FAA Record of Decision in 2005.  Construction of the fourth runway began in 2006, but fifth runway construction is not yet scheduled.

The fifth runway will run parallel to existing runway 12-30 along the south side of Dulles Airport property.  The runway would be roughly parallel to U.S.50, west of Chantilly. It would be approximately 10,500 feet long and 150 feet wide.  When completed, the new runway would be named Runway 12R-30L and the existing parallel runway would be renamed 12L-30R.  The numeric designation is the runway's compass bearing in degrees, divided by 10.  The letters stand for left and right. 

Construction dates for the fifth runway will be set in the future.

Click below for more about this project

• New runways factsheet - PDF document 
• Read the FAA Record of Decision authorizing this project