An ambitious expansion plan has been unveiled for the Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central. With an estimated value of AED 128 billion (around USD 35 billion), this project will elevate Al Maktoum into an aviation colossus, dwarfing even the size of the current Dubai International Airport.

Led by the Dubai Aviation Corporation, the endeavor was greenlit with the approval of designs for new passenger terminals. Construction, set to commence imminently, signifies a strategic move towards solidifying Dubai’s position as a global aviation leader.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE and Dubai’s ruler, revealed the project specifics on April 28, 2024.

The forthcoming airport will be an engineering marvel, boasting five passenger terminals hosting over 400 gates, welcoming a jaw-dropping 260 million passengers annually. Moreover, it will accommodate a colossal 12 million tons of cargo, amplifying Dubai’s significance as a pivotal logistics hub. With a sprawling footprint spanning 70 square kilometers, the airport will feature five runways to ensure seamless operations for the anticipated surge in air traffic.

Al Maktum International Airport

The transition plan involves gradually redirecting passenger flow from Dubai International Airport to the new facility over the next decade. Additionally, this project is poised to catalyze the growth of Dubai South, a planned urban center slated to accommodate one million residents and emerge as a nucleus for logistics and aviation innovation.

Dubai, renowned for its iconic landmarks like the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is poised for even greater heights with its latest endeavor: the development of the world’s largest airport.