United Airlines Plans Dramatic Expansion at Washington Dulles Airport Hub's 60 Percent Growth Will Increase Region's Access to Domestic and International Destinations and Strengthen Carrier's Presence In the Eastern U.S.

United Airlines will increase daily departures from its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport by more than 60 percent beginning April 4, 1999, and continuing in May. The expansion program is intended to provide travelers in the metropolitan D.C. area and the mid-Atlantic region with the frequency and diversity of service only a hub operation can offer.

In its first phase, United's expansion will increase daily departures at Dulles from 73 to 117 with additional non-stop service to 13 cities. These include seven cities in the East and four cities in the far West as well as United's Midwest hubs at Chicago and Denver. United will also consider additional growth opportunities at Dulles, including an augmented international schedule.

"The growth of Washington Dulles as a hub has been part of our long-term strategic plan for nearly five years," said Gerald Greenwald, United Airlines' chairman and chief executive officer. "During the past decade the region has developed into one of the country's most dynamic business and residential centers, and customer and economic studies tell us the time is now right to move. Dulles should be one of our great gateways and, as the nation's and the world's largest airline, we intend to make it so."

In addition to United's mainline operations, the company's presence at Dulles benefits from the scope of a powerful feed network provided by Atlantic Coast Airlines operating as a United Express carrier. United Express offers a total of 230 flights to 47 markets from Dulles. Twelve of those markets are today or soon will be served in popular regional jet aircraft. Moreover, as of April of 1999 most United Express flights will operate from a new regional concourse currently under construction at Dulles.

United's expansion plans for Dulles are welcomed: 

Governor Jim Gilmore of Virginia said: "I have worked with United Airlines to explore how air service in the Commonwealth can be enhanced to improve economic activity here. This expansion is a tremendous validation of the important business and leisure markets in Virginia which should attract more passengers and develop more markets."

Senator John Warner (R-VA) said: "Increasing Dulles' role as a major airline hub is good news for Virginia. These new services will increase airline competition and improve service in all markets served."

Senator Chuck Robb (D-VA) said: "United's commitment to expanded service at Washington Dulles is welcome news to Virginia's air travelers. The new flights will offer consumers significantly more choices for travel to and from Virginia. In addition, the expanded service highlights the importance of making decisions affecting regional air service at the local level."

David T. Ralston Jr, Chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors, said: "The authority has a long relationship with United and has worked with them to increase service opportunities at Dulles. Washington Dulles International Airport is the growth airport for the region and today's announcement is in keeping with the Authority's overall plans for the facility."

United's Washington Dulles hub: 

United Airlines operates a domestic hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and an international gateway to seven cities -- Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Mexico City, Milan, Munich and Paris -- carrying more than 3 million revenue passengers annually. To provide this service, United employs more than 10,000 people in the Washington metropolitan area and contributes more than $250 million annually to the area's economy. As the largest air carrier in the world and the largest majority employee-owned company, United Airlines offers nearly 2,300 flights a day to 139 destinations in 28 countries and one U.S. territory.

United's expanded service from Washington Dulles this spring will include more daily non-stop frequencies to the following markets:

Daily Roundtrip Flights at Dulles *
	Current (Feb. 1999)	Apr. 1999	May 1999	% Change
Atlanta	2.0	2.0	7.0	250% increase
Boston	4.0	14.5	14.5	263% increase
Hartford	2.0	2.0	4.0	100% increase
Miami	1.0	2.0	3.0	200% increase
New York-LGA	2.5	8.0	8.0	220% increase
Orlando	3.0	3.0	6.5	117% increase
Tampa	1.0	1.0	3.0	200% increase
Los Angeles	8.5	11.0	11.0	29% increase
San Diego	2.0	3.0	4.0	100% increase
San Francisco	7.0	9.0	9.5	36% increase
Seattle	2.5	3.0	4.0	60% increase
Chicago	5.5	6.0	9.0	64% increase
Denver	7.5	8.5	8.5	13% increase
*(includes only markets affected by the expansion)

SOURCE United Airlines .