Reagan National Expands Parking as Millions Prepare to Travel Through Washington Airports

ARLINGTON, VA — Travelers heading out of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport this summer may find a little breathing room in one of the airport’s most persistent trouble spots: parking.

More than 600 new spaces have opened in Reagan National’s economy lot just ahead of Memorial Day weekend and the traditional start of the summer travel season.

The opening was first reported by Scott McCaffrey of Arlington Now and discussed during the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) board meeting this week.

“We desperately needed that to open [on time], and it did,” said Chryssa Westerlund, MWAA executive vice president and chief revenue officer.

The new spaces are part of the first phase of a temporary above-ground parking structure built in the economy lot. Another 800 spaces are expected to open later this year, bringing the total to more than 1,400.

The project is especially important because Reagan has been operating with reduced parking during construction.

Earlier this year, MWAA warned that economy-lot work would temporarily remove up to 40 percent of available parking capacity, with up to 1,100 spaces unavailable during peak construction activity. The new garage is intended to restore flexibility as roadway improvements and airport upgrades continue.

And the timing may prove critical.

MWAA expects more than 20 million passengers to move through Reagan National and Dulles International airports between May and August, making this one of the busiest travel seasons yet. About 11 million travelers are expected at Dulles alone.

Officials also anticipate additional visitors as the Washington region prepares for events tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“We’re expecting thousands of additional visitors,” said MWAA President and CEO Jack Potter.

Demand has already pushed facilities close to their limits. During spring break travel earlier this year, Reagan parking reached 96 percent occupancy, while Dulles climbed to 90 percent.

MWAA is encouraging travelers to reserve parking early, allow extra time, and monitor availability before arriving. Meanwhile, more parking improvements may be on the horizon.

MWAA is also advancing plans for roughly $17 million in parking technology upgrades at Reagan and Dulles, including license-plate recognition systems, mobile payment options, ticketless entry technology, and improved real-time parking information.

For Alexandria travelers accustomed to circling garages or seeing “lot full” signs during holiday weekends, the added capacity may offer welcome relief.

And it comes just ahead of another milestone.

Next month, Reagan National will celebrate its 85th anniversary, marking the June 16, 1941, opening of the airport that would eventually become one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs.

Editor’s Note: Portions regarding the newly opened parking spaces and May 20 MWAA discussion were first reported by Scott McCaffrey of Arlington Now. Additional reporting uses MWAA travel advisories, construction notices, and airport planning documents.