Dubai Breaks Ground on the World’s Largest Airport Project

Al Maktoum International Airport Takes Shape

According to УНІАН — Туризм: Construction has officially started on the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, a megaproject poised to become the biggest airport on the planet once completed. With a total price tag of £23.6 billion (over $30 million), the new hub will span 70 square kilometers and handle up to 260 million passengers annually. The facility is scheduled to open its doors in 2032, while the existing Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expected to shut down in 2035.

Airport Features and Scale

Situated in the Dubai South district, Al Maktoum International has already been serving cargo flights since 2010, with passenger operations beginning in 2013. Following its expansion, the airport will boast five runways and 400 boarding gates. Over the past 15 months, more than 10 million man-hours have been poured into the project. Currently, around 9,000 workers are on site, with peak numbers reaching as high as 120,000.

• Annual cargo capacity after completion is set to reach up to 12 million tons.
• The new airport embodies the leadership’s long-term vision for investing in world-class infrastructure.
• This initiative will strengthen the aviation sector’s contribution to economic growth for decades to come.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum noted that the new airport 'embodies the leadership’s long-term vision for investing in world-class infrastructure capable of supporting rapid growth in travel, trade, and logistics.'

Al Maktoum International Airport aims to offer passengers a smooth and efficient travel experience. According to Paul Griffiths,

'the idea is that upon arriving at the airport, a person follows a short and maximally convenient route'

. Travelers will have the freedom to choose where to stop-whether to browse a shop, dine at a restaurant, or relax in a lounge area.

In short, the construction of Al Maktoum International Airport marks a major leap forward for Dubai’s airport infrastructure, enabling a huge boost in both passenger and cargo traffic. This project will not only drive tourism growth but also enhance Dubai’s competitiveness as a key global transport hub, strengthening its economic standing and role in international logistics chains.

In addition to the transformative Al Maktoum International Airport project, Dubai is also investing heavily in another major airport initiative aimed at accommodating the same capacity of 260 million travelers. This ambitious plan underscores the city’s commitment to enhancing its global aviation infrastructure and further solidifying its status as a key hub for international travel and commerce.