Airports Authority Wins Award For Promoting Transit Benefits At Dulles And Reagan

DULLES, VA — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has been recognized for its efforts to expand commuter benefits and encourage transit use among tens of thousands of employees working at Washington Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The Airports Authority received the Employer Services Organization Award from Commuter Connections, which recognizes organizations that make it easier for employers to introduce or expand commuter benefits and telework programs.

The award nomination was submitted by the Dulles Area Transportation Association (DATA), which cited the Airports Authority's work to promote sustainable commuting across the airports' large employment base. According to DATA, about 724 tenant companies employ roughly 33,460 workers at Dulles, while approximately 392 tenant companies employ more than 21,000 people at Reagan National.

Transit Efforts Expanded After Silver Line Extension

DATA said the Airports Authority has been a key partner in promoting public transit since the Silver Line Phase II extension opened at Dulles in November 2022. More recently, those efforts have expanded to Reagan National.

Among the initiatives highlighted by DATA were:

• Promoting commuter benefits during airport management meetings and hiring and employee benefits fairs.
• Helping both airports earn Best Workplaces for Commuters "Best Site" designation, making it easier for tenant businesses to qualify for the national recognition.
• Co-sponsoring DATA's Transit Treks program at Dulles, which offers small-group public transit classes in English and Spanish for employees.

Airport officials said they hope the recognition encourages more employers to offer transit benefits as they compete for workers.

"We thank Commuter Connections for this award, which we believe will inspire more airport employers to embrace transit as a powerful tool for recruiting and retaining the workforce needed to fill positions across our two airports," Richard Golinowski, the Airports Authority's vice president and Dulles airport manager, said in a statement.