A huge new project to build the world’s biggest airport is underway in a city British tourists love, costing a whopping £2.1billion. As Dubai International Airport (DXB) approaches its maximum capacity, the UAE is in the process of formulating plans for its successor, set to be constructed on the outskirts of the city and anticipated to commence operations in the 2030s.
The planned new airport for Dubai essentially already exists in the form of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), situated 23 miles southwest of the city, predominantly catering to freight planes.
Currently, a few passenger airlines, predominantly of Russian origin, are utilizing the facility, and Aeroflot is scheduled to inaugurate services in December.
At present, Al Maktoum Airport accommodates only 1.6 million passengers annually.
However, there are ambitious plans to significantly expand the hub, with the aim of accommodating up to 250 million passengers by 2050.
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This expansion is part of a strategy to alleviate the congestion at Dubai International Airport (DXB) by diverting a substantial portion of its passenger traffic to Al Maktoum.
Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports, which oversees both airports, revealed that plans for the new mega-airport are already in the works, recognizing the imminent need for such infrastructure within the next few years.
“Over the next few years, we’ll be receiving 100 million passengers at DXB, and beyond that, we’ll need a new airport because we probably can’t get much beyond 115 million or 120 million,” he articulated during a speech at the Dubai Airshow last month.
The redesigned Al Maktoum International Airport is poised to overcome capacity limitations due to its modular design, facilitating more straightforward expansion.
Described by Griffiths as the “airport of the future,” it will deviate from the conventional terminal-based model, opting for a more intimate and streamlined approach.
This innovative design aims to eliminate legacy processes that passengers have endured for an extended period.
Mr Griffiths refrained from specifying the exact opening date of the new airport, stating only that it is expected to be operational “in the 2030s.”
Additionally, he did not disclose the projected cost but emphasized that it will be a long-term project extending into the 2050s, reflecting a strategic commitment to future aviation needs.
In the interim, Dubai Airports plans to leverage innovative technology to enhance capacity at DXB.