Dubai announced on Sunday the commencement of construction on a new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, described by the emirate’s ruler as “the world’s largest” with an estimated cost of nearly $35 billion.
“We have approved the designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport and are beginning construction of the building at a cost of AED128 billion ($34.85 billion),” stated Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler and the UAE’s prime minister, in an announcement on X.
Upon completion, the airport will be capable of accommodating “260 million passengers annually,” according to a government statement.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the new terminal would boast “the world’s largest capacity” and be “five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport,” one of the globe’s busiest air transport hubs.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of Emirates, stated that the initial phase of the project would be completed within a decade, with a capacity to handle 150 million passengers per year.
Situated on the outskirts of the city, Al Maktoum airport has handled a relatively modest portion of Dubai’s air traffic since 2010.
Authorities aim for it to eventually replace Dubai International Airport, located in the city center with a capacity of up to 120 million passengers annually, limiting further expansion.
