Dubai Approves World’s Largest Airport Terminal

April 29, 2024

Recently, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), announced the approval of a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. The project, estimated to cost 128 billion AED ($34.85 billion), aims to create the world’s largest airport terminal.

About Al Maktoum International Airport

Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central, is a major airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is part of the Dubai World Central project and is designed to be the world’s largest airport by passenger and cargo capacity. The airport began operations in 2010 and is expected to handle up to 160 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo annually upon completion.

Location: Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Opened: 2010 (passenger terminal in 2013)
Operator: Dubai Airports Company
Planned capacity: 160 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo annually
Runways: 5 (planned)
Terminal size: 7.2 million square feet (planned)

Key Features of the New Terminal

The new terminal will be part of the Al Maktoum International Airport, located in Dubai South (formerly known as Dubai World Central). It will serve as the new base for Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates and its low-cost subsidiary Flydubai. All operations from Dubai International Airport will eventually be transferred to the new terminal.

Capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers annually
400 aircraft gates
Five parallel runways
Expected to be five times larger than the current Dubai International Airport

Importance for Dubai’s Aviation Sector

The project aims to solidify Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub.
It will introduce new aviation technologies to Dubai for the first time.
The airport will host leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors.

The initial phase of the project is expected to be completed within a decade. The first phase will have a capacity to serve 150 million passengers annually.

Comparison with Other Airports

Upon completion, Al Maktoum International Airport will surpass other major airports in terms of passenger capacity:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (USA): 110.5 million passengers in 2019
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (China): 73.4 million passengers in 2019
London Heathrow Airport (UK): 80.9 million passengers in 2019

About Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Location: Southeast coast of the Persian Gulf
Area: 4,114 square kilometers
Population: Around 3.3 million (2021 estimate)
Ruler: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (since 2006)
Economy: Based on trade, tourism, real estate, and financial services
Notable attractions: Burj Khalifa (world’s tallest building), Palm Jumeirah (artificial island), and Dubai Mall (one of the world’s largest shopping malls)
Transport: Home to the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic (Dubai International Airport)

As the largest airport terminal in the world, it will showcase Dubai’s commitment to innovation and infrastructure development.

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