Dubai has done it again: Emirate to have largest airport globally soon

The UAE megacity of Dubai has approved designs for brand new passenger terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport, commencing construction of the building at a cost of Dh128 billion (~$35 billion) as part of Dubai Aviation Corporation’s strategy.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister and the Ruler of Dubai, took to X on Sunday to make the announcement. All operations at Dubai International Airport will be transferred to the newer airport over the coming years.

Once completed, Al Maktoum International Airport is envisaged to have capacity for 260 million passengers, the highest across the globe. It is set to be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, accommodate 400 aircraft gates and feature 5 parallel runways.

The mega airport opened in 2010. It is expected to be the new home of flagship carrier Emirates. Besides, new aviation technologies will be employed for the first time in the aviation sector, His Highness also noted in his statement.

“Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid further added: “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.”

Paul Griffiths, the Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Airports, said the development is set to solidify Dubai’s position as a leading aviation hub. “The growth of Dubai has always been hand in hand with the growth of its aviation infrastructure,” he stressed.

Dubai at the forefront of global tourism

Dubai is at the forefront of global tourism sector as it welcomed a record 17 million passengers in 2023 – the best-ever year for tourism and the first year ahead of pre-pandemic numbers. The burgeoning emirate noted a remarkable growth of 19.4% that year.

In 2019, Dubai managed to lure 16.73 million travellers. Before the deadly pandemic brought the entire globe to a literal standstill, the city had set out to hit 20 million travellers by 2020. Last year, it marked one of the highest hotel occupancy rates of 77.4% on the planet.

Dubai International, DXB, is again on the list of top 10 airports. It has become the second busiest airport globally for the first time, moving up 5 places from its position in 2022. This achievement demonstrates the airport’s role in global travel and connectivity.

The rankings are based on data collected from over 2,600 airports across at least 180 countries and territories. In terms of passenger numbers, DXB is just behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. But in terms of international passengers, DXB rules the list.