Alexandria, VA— To accommodate record growth at Washington Dulles International Airport, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority opens a new Regional Concourse at Dulles on May 2, 1999.

The facility, Concourse A, replaces the temporary gates on the lower level of the main terminal. The new 70,000 square foot regional concourse has 12 gates to accommodate 36 aircraft—including regional jets. Concourse A is attached to Concourse B by an enclosed pedestrian bridge with moving sidewalks. Concourse B opened in early 1998 and houses several international and domestic airlines and offers a variety of shops and eateries. Concourse A will provide a food court with a bar, restaurant, newsstand and coffee bar. There will be an executive lounge for United Express customers.

Said James A. Wilding, President and CEO of the Airports Authority, "This is an important next step in our ongoing expansion of Dulles Airport. In this project, we’ve been able to provide more facilities for aircraft operations while also greatly improving the services and amenities for passengers who fly on regional aircraft."

Atlantic Coast Airlines serves as the regional airline for United Airlines providing service to over 2.5 million passengers a year connecting on United Airlines flights at Dulles. Passengers reach Concourse A via mobile lounges operating from the main terminal as well as from Concourse C and D where United Airlines operates.

Atlantic Coast, the second busiest carrier at Dulles following United Airlines, has recently added service to new destinations and continues to introduce regional jet service to new and existing markets.

Last year, Dulles served nearly 16 million passengers; two million additional passengers over the previous year. The first two months of 1999 has produced more than a 20% increase in passenger numbers compared to 1998 and projections estimate that 20 million passengers will use Dulles by the end of this year.

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