In a significant development for the aviation industry, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has green-lit the architectural plans and initiated the construction of a new AED 128 billion passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. Upon completion, this terminal is poised to become the largest of its kind globally, boasting a staggering annual passenger capacity of 260 million.
The announcement came during Sheikh Mohammed’s visit to the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, where he was accompanied by prominent figures including His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
Sheikh Mohammed expressed enthusiasm about the project, emphasizing its scale and the advanced aviation technologies that will be employed. “Al Maktoum International Airport will redefine large-scale operations with its capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers annually, which is five times the traffic managed by the current Dubai International Airport,” he stated. The new airport will feature five parallel runways, 400 aircraft gates, and a sophisticated layout designed to cater to future growth and technology integrations.
The terminal’s construction is not just an expansion in infrastructure but also a stride toward sustainable development. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, remarked on the project’s alignment with Dubai’s long-term economic and environmental strategies, highlighting its planned LEED Gold Certification and efforts to mitigate environmental emissions.
This ambitious project also includes the development of an aerotropolis in Dubai South, aiming to house over a million residents and various leading companies from the logistics and air transport sectors. His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, pointed out, “The airport’s development is crucial to Dubai’s economy, significantly contributing to the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and creating substantial employment and residential opportunities.”
With an eye on revolutionizing air travel, Her Excellency Suzanne Al Anani, CEO of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, commented on the project's innovative approach. “We are set to redefine the concept of airports, integrating rapid technological advances and vast knowledge of innovation to reinvent the passenger journey,” she said.
The new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport represents a monumental step forward for Dubai’s aviation sector, underscoring the city's commitment to becoming a global hub for technology, commerce, and sustainable development. Set to span an impressive 70 square kilometers, this futuristic airport will not only enhance connectivity and service levels but also solidify Dubai’s position as a leading global metropolis.
Source: Dubai Media Office
