:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/KFTBPF626JDCDFBQW74QXF5F7U.jpeg "Dubai announced that it will build the largest airport in the world")
Dubai Government Approves $35 Billion Budget for World‘s Largest Airport Terminal
The Dubai government has given the green light for a massive $35 billion project to construct a new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. This ambitious project aims to transform the airport into the world‘s largest, with a capacity to accommodate a staggering 260 million passengers annually – a fivefold increase from its current capacity.
The project forms part of the broader Dubai South development plan, which envisions the creation of a new city spanning 145 square kilometers to cater for one million residents and attract leading global companies in the logistics and air transport sectors.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the UAE, emphasized the long-term benefits of the project, stating, “We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn.”
Once completed, the Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC), will cover an impressive 69 square kilometers, featuring 400 aircraft gates and five parallel runways to support seamless operations and efficiency. Digital images of the airport’s blueprint showcase futuristic designs and extensive infrastructure set to redefine the travel experience.
While Dubai International (DXB) will continue its operations as the world‘s second busiest airport, DWC will focus on aircraft maintenance and the handling of up to 12 million tons of cargo annually to meet growing demands in the aviation sector.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, highlighted the significance of the project in cementing Dubai’s position as a leading aviation hub, noting the project as a crucial step in the city’s growth trajectory.
With a target completion timeline of a decade for the initial phase, the DWC project aims to facilitate 40 years of sustained growth in Dubai’s aviation sector, in line with the city’s ambitious economic plans to double its economy by 2033.
Emirates, the flag carrier of the UAE, has announced plans to relocate its operations to DWC – Al Maktoum International, signaling confidence in the project’s vision and capabilities. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, CEO of Emirates, shared, “Al Maktoum International will be the new home of Emirates, flydubai, and all airline partners connecting the world to and from Dubai.”