‘World’s Largest Airport to be Built at a Cost of Billion’

Dubai is set to solidify its position as a global aviation hub with the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, which will become the world’s largest airport. The planned USD billion passenger terminal will be five times the size of Dubai Airport and will feature 400 gates and five parallel runways to accommodate up to 260 million annual travelers.

All operations at Dubai Airport (DXB) will be transferred to Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) in the coming years. This move will make DWC the new home of flagship airline Emirates, low-cost carrier Flydubai, and other airline partners. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths stated that this expansion marks the beginning of a significant investment in creating a state-of-the-art airport to provide a seamless and high-quality experience for customers.

Despite the growth of Al Maktoum International Airport, DXB will remain the primary aviation hub for the next few years as the new terminal at DWC takes shape. The ruler of Dubai, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, approved the design plans for the ‘Airport of the Future’ project, which will cover 70sqkm and have the capacity for over 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.

Phase one of the project is expected to be completed within 10 years, with the terminal accommodating 150 million passengers each year. Additionally, Dubai plans to build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South to host leading air transport and logistics companies, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a sustainable environment.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that Dubai will be the world’s airport, port, urban hub, and new global center. The recent floods in Dubai caused air transport chaos, but Dubai International Airport is now fully operational again.

With these ambitious plans and investments, Dubai is poised to become a key player in the global aviation industry, setting new standards for airports worldwide.