Dubai is embarking upon the construction of a $35bn airport terminal, the emirate’s ruler has announced.
Being built at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South, the construction of this terminal will make it the largest airport in the world.
Computer-generated graphic of the proposed terminal.Image: X/HHShkMohd.
Dubai’s prime minister and vice president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, revealed that the forthcoming terminal will be five times larger than the existing Dubai International Airport and capable of accommodating up to 260 million passengers annually.
According to the announcement, the new airport will feature five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates. Currently, Dubai International Airport, the busiest international air hub across the world, operates with a mere two runways.
World’s largest airport in Dubai
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s announcement signals a significant milestone in the resurgence of the Emirates airline following the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on international travel.
Included in the announcement were computer-generated images depicting a sweeping, white terminal design reminiscent of the traditional Bedouin tents of the Arabian Peninsula.
“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,” said the Dubai PM on X.
Sheikh 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.”
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has held the title of the world’s busiest airport for international travel for a decade, leading to strain on its capacity. Last year, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the transit hub served nearly 87 million passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
Furthermore, Dubai reported a record-breaking 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023, representing an increase of nearly 20% compared to the previous year.
The airport’s origins
Al Maktoum International Airport, situated about 45km away from DXB, commenced operations in 2010 with a single terminal.
Throughout the pandemic, it served as a storage facility for Emirates’ double-decker Airbus A380s and other aircraft, gradually resuming activity with cargo and private flights in the subsequent period.
Additionally, the airport serves as the venue for the biennial Dubai Air Show and boasts vast expanses of empty desert, providing ample room for expansion.
Sheikh Mohammed’s announcement highlighted Dubai’s intentions to extend further south. Notably, the nearby Expo 2020 site has already been offering residential properties for prospective buyers.