The government of Dubai has approved the timelines, budget and designs of the passenger terminal that will form part of the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, located 45 km (28 miles) from Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Once operational, the Dh128 billion ($35 billion) expansion will be the largest in the world.
Al Maktoum International Airport (AMI) is projected to expand over an expansive area of 70 square kilometres. The airport will have an ultimate capacity exceeding 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Dubai aims to make this the emirate’s main international airport within the decade. Dubai International Airport currently holds the title of the world’s busiest for international travel, with some 89.1 million passengers passing through it in 2018. In 2022, 66 million passengers used the airport.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, reviewed the strategic plan of the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and approved designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport.
“Today, we approved the designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, and commencing construction of the building at a cost of Dh128 billion as part of Dubai Aviation Corporation’s strategy,” HH Sheikh Mohammed said.
“Al Maktoum International Airport will enjoy the world’s largest capacity, reaching up to 260 million passengers. It will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, and all operations at Dubai International Airport will be transferred to it in the coming years.”
The approval came during HH Sheikh Mohammed’s visit to the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, accompanied by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
The airport is set to accommodate 400 aircraft gates and feature five parallel runways. New aviation technologies will be employed for the first time in the aviation sector.
Al Maktoum International will strongly contribute to mitigating environmental emissions, the government said, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a sustainably built environment.
“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,” HH Sheik Mohammed added.
“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.”
DXB will continue to serve as the primary hub until the project is completed.