Dubai is embarking on a groundbreaking venture in aviation with the development of Al Maktoum International Airport, a project poised to revolutionize the future of air travel. This ambitious £27.2 billion ($34.8 billion or Dh128 billion) initiative, designed by Leslie Jones Architecture, is set to become the world’s largest airport, surpassing even the current aviation hub, Dubai International Airport (DXB).
DXB has held the title of the world’s busiest international airport for ten consecutive years, handling 86.9 million passengers last year. However, further expansion of DXB has become increasingly challenging due to its proximity to residential areas and major highways. In response, Dubai’s leaders have devised a bold solution: transforming Al Maktoum International Airport into a new “airport city.”
Originally opened in 2010, Al Maktoum International Airport is set to expand to more than five times the size of DXB, with a future capacity to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually. This project is a crucial component of Dubai’s D33 economic agenda, which aims to attract an additional $27 billion in tourism investments. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has emphasized that building this “entire city” around the airport will generate housing and employment for up to one million people, further accelerating Dubai’s growth.
The first phase of the airport is expected to be operational within the next decade, initially handling 150 million passengers annually. As the airport continues to expand, its full capacity will solidify Dubai’s position as a global aviation powerhouse.
