Dubai, UAE – June 2024: Dubai is making headlines with the announcement of a monumental $35 billion construction project for what is set to be the world’s largest airport terminal. The new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, once completed, will have the capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers annually, dwarfing the current Dubai International Airport by five times in size.
Dubai’s Prime Minister and Vice President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, shared the news on Sunday, highlighting the transformative potential of the project. “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 stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The vision for Al Maktoum International Airport includes not only the world’s largest terminal but also the construction of an entire urban hub in Dubai South. This development is expected to attract major companies in logistics and air transport, fostering economic growth and positioning Dubai as a key global center for these industries.
“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,” Sheikh Mohammed added, emphasizing the long-term impact and sustainability of the project.
The ambitious plan involves transferring all operations from the current Dubai International Airport to the new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport over the coming years. Opened in 2010, Al Maktoum International is already set to become the new home of Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, and will feature five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates upon completion.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, underscored the significance of this development. “The growth of Dubai has always been hand in hand with the growth of its aviation infrastructure and today we see another bold step on that journey,” Griffiths said in a statement. The new terminal is poised to solidify Dubai’s status as a leading aviation hub, accommodating the ever-increasing passenger numbers and enhancing the city’s global connectivity.
Dubai International Airport has maintained its position as the world’s busiest airport for international travel for ten consecutive years. In 2023 alone, nearly 87 million passengers passed through the airport, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and highlighting the pressing need for expanded capacity.
In addition to its aviation achievements, Dubai has set a new record with 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023, reflecting a nearly 20 percent increase from the previous year. This surge in tourism further supports the necessity for the expanded infrastructure that Al Maktoum International Airport will provide.
As Dubai embarks on this grand project, the emirate continues to exemplify visionary leadership and ambitious planning, ensuring its place at the forefront of global aviation and urban development. The new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport will not only cater to the growing demands of international travel but also drive the economic and social development of Dubai, making it a cornerstone of the city’s future growth and prosperity.