A mobile lounge, commonly referred to as a people carrier, crashed at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday, resulting in injuries to at least 18 passengers. The incident occurred around 16:30 EST (21:30 GMT) when the vehicle struck a dock while approaching the terminal. According to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the collision also caused damage to the terminal building. Passengers exited the carrier using stairs and were transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. The airport remains operational, as confirmed by spokeswoman Crystal Nosal. The exact number of passengers onboard at the time of the crash remains unclear. Dulles Airport, located in Virginia and serving as a major hub for Washington DC travelers, operates a fleet of 19 mobile lounges, each capable of carrying 102 passengers. These vehicles, in use since 1959, have faced persistent criticism for being outdated and insufficiently modern. Earlier this week, Trent Morse, a former Trump official nominated to the MWAA board, labeled the mobile lounges as ‘relics of the past’ during a Senate confirmation hearing. He expressed embarrassment over international travelers being transported in such antiquated vehicles. NBC Washington reported that mobile lounges were involved in 16 accidents between 2007 and 2017, including one fatal crash. This latest incident coincides with the ongoing government shutdown, which has led to flight delays and staffing shortages at US airports. The Trump administration has mandated a 10% reduction in air traffic at 40 airports, including Dulles, due to these shortages.