Dubai has announced a massive investment in Al Maktoum International Airport to become the world's largest airport within the next ten years. The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, gave the green light for the project.
Upon its completion, the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion project will be a game-changer, aiming to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually. To put this into perspective, last year's passenger traffic at the world's busiest airport, Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, was almost 105 million passengers. This expansion is not just about numbers but about the future potential of this airport to become a global aviation hub.
Other noteworthy features of the expanded Al Maktoum International Airport include its capacity to house 400 aircraft and five parallel runways. Upon completion, the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion project aims to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually. To put this into perspective, last year's passenger traffic at the world's busiest airport, Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, was almost 105 million passengers.
Other noteworthy features of the expanded Al Maktoum International Airport include its capacity to house 400 aircraft and five parallel runways.
Al Maktoum International Airport, operational since 2010 for cargo flights and 2013 for passenger flights, has been in the shadow of Dubai International Airport. However, Sheikh Mohammad has announced a strategic shift, with the entire operation set to move from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum in the coming years. Emirates, a key player in this transition, currently operates part of its air cargo business via Al Maktoum. While the timeline for the airline's passenger operations to move to the new hub is still being determined, Emirates believes 2034 is a realistic target. Until then, the airline will maximize Dubai International Airport's capacity, showcasing its careful planning for the future.
Last year, the hub recorded 86.9 million passengers, which slightly exceeded the pre-crisis figure in 2019. Operators expect 88.8 million travelers to pass through Dubai International this year.