Fascinating news: the world’s largest airport terminal will be in Dubai! It was recently announced by the Emirati politician and current ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed, the great expansion plans for Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai. AI Maktoum International Aiport is aspiring to be the world’s largest airport terminal with a total construction cost of AED 128 billion, equivalent to 27 billion pounds.
©HH Sheikh Mohammed
Transforming Al Maktoum International Airport into the world’s Largest Airport Terminal
Dubai International Airport has historically always been known as Dubai’s main airport, handling millions of passengers and making it an extremely busy airport, which was also recorded as having around 66 million passengers in 2022. Despite its prominence, a 2022 article by Travel Radar mentioned the future vision of Al Maktoum Airport, potentially surpassing Dubai International Airport because of its strategic location and expected plans for Airport expansion.
On April 28, 2024, the expansion plans for the future of Al Maktoum Airport were finally announced, which would set it to be the world’s largest airport terminal. The airport aims to be five times the size of Dubai International Airport. The transformations bring several purposes for the airport; one of the biggest plans and expectations is handling 260 million passengers annually. In 2022, Al Maktoum Airport handled 877.4 thousand passengers, according to Statista. Al Maktoum International Airport started its operations in June 2010 and currently serves various popular destinations in cities such as Prague, Amsterdam, Sochi, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Karachi, Bangkok, Mumbai, and Moscow.
The Construction of Al Maktoum International Airport Terminal
The construction of Al Maktoum International Airport terminal intends to bring many significant changes in Dubai. The project will have several phases; the first phase is expected to be completed in 10 years and the project’s objective is to build better accessibility for passengers by bringing a total of 400 aircraft gates, five parallel runways, and the power to manage 12 million tonnes of annual cargo.
The airport will also feature the latest technologies never used before. In terms of integrated transport the airport will work on the interconnection of Dubai Metro, road hubs and urban air transport(eVTOL) for easy travel to and from the airport.
Sir HH Sheikh Mohammed, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), expressed the project plans by stating:
“As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow. It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors. We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children. Dubai will be the world’s airport, port, urban hub, and new global centre.”
The new terminal is expected to transform Dubai by creating additional job opportunities and an even more advanced way of Dubai tourism.
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