Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, has given the green light for the construction of a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, with an estimated cost of 128 billion dirhams ($34.85 billion). The announcement was made on Sunday via X and marks a significant effort by Dubai to enhance its aviation infrastructure.
The new terminal is set to become the largest in the world, with a capacity of up to 260 million passengers. It will be five times larger than the existing Dubai International Airport. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that all operations currently handled at Dubai Airport will gradually transition to Al Maktoum in the coming years.
The ambitious project will feature 400 terminal gates and five runways, accommodating the growing demand for air travel in the region.
Emirates, the flagship carrier of Dubai, along with its sister low-cost airline Flydubai, are slated to make Al Maktoum their new home. Additionally, all airline partners connecting passengers to and from Dubai will operate from this state-of-the-art facility.
The decision to invest in a world-class airport terminal signifies Dubai's status as a premier aviation hub on the international stage. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, hailed the move as a strategic step towards solidifying Dubai's position as a global leader in the aviation industry. Griffiths emphasized the pivotal role that Al Maktoum International Airport will play in shaping the future of air travel in Dubai and beyond.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of Emirates, expressed confidence in the potential of the new terminal to elevate the city's reputation as a key transit hub.