Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai is poised to become the world’s busiest airport, following approval from Dubai authorities to construct a new $34.8 billion terminal.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, announced on social media platform X that the airport’s capacity will eventually reach 260 million passengers and that it will fully integrate Dubai International Airport’s operations within ten years.
Sheikh Mohammed highlighted that the development would include building a city around the airport in Dubai South. The expansion is expected to stimulate housing demand for a million people and attract leading global logistics and air transport companies.
Sheikh Mohammed remarked that Dubai will position itself as a major global hub, describing the project as a future-focused endeavour: “We are building a new project for future generations … Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global centre.”
The National News Agency reports that the new airport will be five times larger than the current Dubai International Airport, which leads globally in international traffic. The expansive 70-square-kilometer site will feature 400 aircraft gates, five parallel runways, and advanced aviation technology. It will also be able to handle 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.
The project will be completed in phases, with the initial phase expected to accommodate 150 million passengers annually within the next decade.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, emphasized the project’s scale and strategic importance for Dubai’s aviation growth over the next 40 years. He mentioned, “The new airport, which will ultimately be over five times the size of Dubai International, will prepare the ground for the next 40 years of anticipated growth in Dubai’s aviation sector.”
Highlighting the hub airline’s strategic expansion plans, including fleet acquisition and passenger growth, Sheikh Ahmed also noted the airport’s design goals of environmental sustainability. “The airport is also being designed to strongly contribute to mitigating environmental emissions and aims to achieve LEED gold certification,” he stated.
Dubai International Airport handled 86.9 million passengers last year, a 31.7% increase from the previous year. Total flight movements were recorded at 416,405 in 2023.
