Dubai has started work on a $35bn airport terminal that is set to have the world’s largest capacity upon completion, the emirate’s ruler has said.
Dubai’s Prime Minister and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said on Sunday that the new terminal would be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport and handle up to 260 million passengers annually.
“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.”
“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.”
“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 Mohammed said.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said the development would solidify Dubai’s position aviation hub.
“Dubai’s expansion has consistently paralleled the growth of its aviation infrastructure, and today marks yet another significant stride in that journey,” Griffiths remarked in a statement.
Dubai International Airport maintaining its position as the world’s busiest airport for international travel for a decade, its capacity has been stretched.
Last year, the transit hub accommodated nearly 87 million passengers, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
In a noteworthy achievement, Dubai welcomed a record-breaking 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023, marking a nearly 20 percent increase from the previous year.