Last Updated on 30
In a significant move to bolster Dubai's infrastructure, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the emirate's ruler, has announced a massive USD 35 billion investment to develop what is considered to be the world's largest airport.
The upgraded Al Maktoum International Airport will feature a capacity of 260 million passengers, surpassing all existing airports in terms of passenger capacity. Furthermore, the new project will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport. In the coming years, all operations at the current airport will be transferred to the new facility.
Al Maktoum International Airport:Render
The new airport is designed with 400 aircraft gates and five parallel runways. The size and scale of the project are indicative of Dubai's vision to position itself as a global hub for travel and commerce. The announcement also included computer-rendered images of curving, white terminals reminiscent of the traditional Bedouin tents of the Arabian Peninsula.
Sheikh Mohammed said it will have "the world's largest capacity" and be "five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport," which is one of the world's busiest air hubs. He put the 10-year construction cost at USD 35 billion, and said the emirate would build "an entire city around the airport" with anticipated housing demands for 1 million people.
The announcement comes as air travel in Dubai returned to pre-pandemic levels, with 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023. The number of passengers flying through DXB surged last year beyond its total for 2019 of 86.9 million passengers.
The Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central, was opened in 2010 with one terminal. The airport is designed as the centerpiece for Dubai South, a planned economic zone that aims to host a million residents and provide 500,000 jobs across a 55-square-mile area.
Source:UAE government
The Al Maktoum International Airport project, a monumental initiative by the Dubai government, aims to invest USD 35 billion to develop the world's largest airport. Several important goals are the driving forces behind this ambitious project:
The primary objective is to establish Dubai as the global hub of aviation. By developing the world's largest airport, Dubai aims to attract international airlines and passengers, thereby boosting its global standing in the aviation industry.
The project is expected to stimulate economic growth in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The airport's development will create numerous jobs, attract foreign investment, and boost tourism, contributing significantly to the nation's GDP.
With a future capacity to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually, the airport aims to meet the growing demand for air travel. This expansion will help manage the increasing passenger traffic efficiently.
The project plans to develop robust infrastructure, including 400 aircraft gates and five parallel runways. This infrastructure will ensure efficient handling of aircraft and passenger traffic.
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