Dubai has commenced the ambitious construction of a $35 billion airport terminal, poised to become the world’s largest upon completion, announced the emirate’s ruler.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and vice president, prime minister, and minister of defense of the United Arab Emirates, revealed on Sunday the groundbreaking plans for the new terminal, which will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport.
This colossal infrastructure is expected to cater to an impressive 260 million passengers annually.
In a strategic move, all operations at Dubai International Airport will gradually transition to the newer Al Maktoum International Airport, as outlined by Sheikh Mohammed.
“As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow. It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
“We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn. Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global centre.”
Once finalised, Al Maktoum International Airport, inaugurated in 2010, will become the new home for flagship carrier Emirates, featuring an impressive configuration of five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, hailed the development as a pivotal moment that cements Dubai’s status as a premier aviation hub. “The evolution of Dubai has always paralleled the advancement of its aviation infrastructure, and today marks another significant leap forward,” Griffiths stated in a released statement.
Dubai International Airport has held the title of the world’s busiest airport for international travel for an unprecedented 10 consecutive years, underscoring the pressing need for expanded capacity.
Even amidst global challenges, the transit hub saw nearly 87 million passengers pass through its terminals last year, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
The announcement comes on the heels of Dubai reporting a record-breaking 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023, reflecting a substantial growth of nearly 20 percent from the previous year.