$800 million upgrade proposed for Reagan National Airport’s Terminal 1

FOX 5 Washington DC
Tisha Lewis and Amanda Hurley
10 August 2026

The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority is exploring a massive modernization project for Terminal 1 at Reagan National Airport.

The draft plan includes demolishing the existing "Bajo" gates to build nine new replacement gates, constructing a new passenger processing facility, and upgrading roadways and infrastructure.

The project is currently in the environmental study phase with no set construction dates.

The environmental study outlines a comprehensive overhaul of the existing infrastructure. If approved, the Airports Authority proposes to:

• Construct a new passenger processing facility.
• Build nine new replacement gates.
• Demolish the existing "Bajo" gates (Gates A1 through A9).
• Renovate exterior and interior portions of existing facilities.
• Reconstruct the apron surrounding the new replacement gates.
• Improve stormwater infrastructure and terminal roadways...

$800 million upgrade proposed for Reagan National Airport’s Terminal 1 | FOX 5 DC | 10 August 2026