AASHTO Journal - Maryland DOT Honors BWI Airport’s 75th Anniversary

The Maryland Department of Transportation recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall or BWI Marshall Airport.

[Above photo by Maryland DOT]

Originally named Friendship International Airport due to the local Friendship Methodist Church and surrounding community, President Harry Truman officially dedicated the airport on June 24, 1950, saying it, “exemplifies the spirit of growth and confidence with which our country faces the future.”

In 1972, the Maryland DOT purchased the airport from Baltimore City and the Maryland State Aviation Administration assumed operations. It was then renamed Baltimore/Washington International Airport the subsequent year. In 2005 the airport received another new name, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, in honor of Baltimore-native and former U.S. Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall.

The Maryland DOT noted that the airport plays a vital role in the state’s aviation network – serving more than 27 million passengers in 2024 and offering approximately 300 daily nonstop departures to about 90 domestic and international destinations. The airport’s total economic impact is roughly $11.3 billion, the Maryland DOT added; supporting more than 107,000 jobs in the state and throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

To commemorate its 75th anniversary, BWI Marshall Airport and partners will host a series of events throughout 2025 to celebrate with the local community along with travelers, staff and other stakeholders – both present and past – that have contributed to the airport’s enduring success.

“BWI Marshall Airport is one of Maryland’s greatest economic engines, leading the way with tourism, job creation, and expanded business opportunities for our region,” said Governor Wes Moore (D) in a statement.

“Over the years, BWI Marshall Airport has grown into a critical part of Maryland’s transportation network, connecting families and businesses to life’s opportunities, and has become an economic powerhouse in growing the state’s economy,” added Paul Wiedefeld, Maryland DOT secretary. “This diamond anniversary is a moment for us to celebrate the airport’s past and look forward to its future.”