United Airlines Hub Status at Dulles Extended

DULLES, VA — United Airlines will remain a hub carrier at Dulles International Airport until at least 2024, following a lease extension announced Friday by Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

United has been a domestic and international hub at Dulles since 1986.

"Today’s agreement is critical to the economic prosperity of Northern Virginia and air service throughout the Commonwealth," McAuliffe said in a statement. "The extension of the United lease solidifies Dulles as Virginia’s gateway to the country and the world and a critical piece of our efforts to build a new Virginia economy."

The existing lease was set to expire at the end of 2017 but a budget bill introduced by McAuliffe and passed by the Virginia General Assembly enhanced the negotiation of a seven-year extension by providing $50 million — $25 million in airport funding per year in 2017 and 2018 — to reduce airline operating costs.

Photo: Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority