Dubai Initiates Construction of Project to Build the World's Largest Airport

Dubai is embarking on an ambitious project to construct the world’s largest airport terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, with a staggering capacity of 260 million passengers annually. The announcement, made on X (formerly Twitter), made by Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed, outlines a vision to transform Dubai into a global aviation and urban hub.

The new airport terminal will boast 400 aircraft gates and five parallel runways, facilitating seamless operations for millions of travellers. With plans to transition all operations from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport over the next decade, Dubai is poised for a monumental shift in its aviation infrastructure.

.@HHShkMohd reviews the strategic plan of the #Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and approves designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, which will be the largest in the world when fully operational. Set to be built at a cost of AED128 billion,… pic.twitter.com/9daBU3RN0B

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) April 28, 2024

Despite initial delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction on the project is now set to commence, with an estimated cost of $35 billion. The airport’s strategic location in Jebel Ali, southwest of Dubai, positions it as a key driver of the emirate’s economic growth and tourism aspirations.

While Dubai International Airport (DXB) will remain operational as the primary hub in the interim, plans for the new terminal underscore the need for expanded aviation infrastructure to accommodate the emirate’s growing passenger traffic. Dubai’s development trajectory has closely mirrored the expansion of its aviation sector, with Al Maktoum International Airport poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the city’s future.

Emirates Airlines and other carriers have signalled their support for the project, recognizing its significance in meeting the demands of an evolving aviation landscape. With Dubai’s tourism industry experiencing unprecedented growth, driven by record-breaking visitor numbers, the new airport terminal is poised to set the stage for decades of sustained expansion and development in the emirate’s aviation sector.