Dubai South’s ambitious plans to expand the Al Maktoum International Airport have set the emirate on course to become a global hub for air travel. The project aims to build a $35 billion airport with a passenger capacity of 260 million, making it the largest airport in the world by far.
Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has expressed his vision for the upgraded airport as a key element of Dubai’s future growth. He emphasized the importance of ensuring continuous development for future generations, making Dubai the world’s airport, port, urban hub, and new global center.
The construction of the expanded airport is estimated to cost AED 128 billion over the next 10 years. The new facility will feature five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, consolidating all international flights that currently operate out of Dubai International Airport. Dubai aims to build an entire city around the airport to accommodate the anticipated housing needs of 1 million people.
The Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central, was opened in 2010 with one terminal and two runways. It serves as the focal point of Dubai South’s economic zone, with plans to provide housing for 1 million residents and create 500,000 jobs across a 55-square-mile area. These expansion plans coincide with the recovery of air travel in Dubai to pre-pandemic levels, with 17.15 million international visitors in 2023.
