Dubai poised to become world's largest airport passenger hub

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Dubai is poised to become the hub of the world’s largest airport terminal capable of handling 260 million passengers annually with the government announcing a AED128 billion (about USD 35 billion) design plan for the emirate’s new aviation gateway at the Al Maktoum International Airport.

Dubai International Airport (DXB), currently the world’s busiest airport for international travel, will be moved to the sprawling Al Maktoum International Airport once the project is completed within the next 10 years.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, announced the ambitious aviation milestone for Dubai on 28 April 2024.
“Today, we approved the designs for the new passenger terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport, and commencing construction of the building at a cost of AED 128 billion as part of Dubai Aviation Corporation’s strategy. 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 airport will accommodate 400 aircraft gates and feature five parallel runways. New aviation technologies will be employed for the first time in the aviation sector,” the Dubai ruler said on X (formerly twitter).
Sheikh Mohammed discussed the plan when he visited the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, accompanied by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai; H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group; and Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Office, were also present during the announcement.
“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 noted. “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 center.”
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed said the new airport is designed to meet Dubai’s growing aviation needs for the next 40 years, saying, “It will respond to the Hub Airline ambitious plans in terms of fleet acquisition and passenger growth. The airport will provide cutting-edge technologies, passenger facilities with unmatched level of service, and state-of-the-art aviation support facilities.”
“Al Maktoum International (AMI) is planned in such a way as to represent a leap into the future. It will comprise of five parallel runways with a quadruple independent operation, west and east processing terminals, four satellite concourses with over 400 aircraft contact stands, uninterrupted automated people mover system for passengers, and an integrated landside transport hub for roads, Metro, and city air transport,” he added.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said Dubai’s growth has always gone hand-in-hand with the growth of its aviation infrastructure, and today, one sees another bold step in that journey.
“The announcement of phase two of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport’s (DWC) expansion, representing a substantial investment of AED128 billion, marks the start of a huge investment of resources by our many stakeholders in designing and building a state-of-the-art airport that will provide a quick, convenient, and high-quality 21st-century experience for our customers. This further solidifies Dubai’s position as a leading aviation hub on the world stage,” Griffiths commented.
He said DXB will continue to serve as the primary hub, in the meantime, while the new airport project is being constructed, meeting the needs of 100 million plus guests over the next few years as phase two of DWC takes shape.