Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports, is expected to cease operations in the next decade as the city’s new airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, takes over. Also known as Dubai World Central, this new airport is projected to break the record for passenger capacity, with a capacity of 260 million passengers per year after completion of all construction phases.
History of Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport has been in operation since 1960 and has undergone several expansions, including the opening of Terminal 3 in 2008. Terminal 3 is currently the world’s largest airport terminal by floor area. However, further expansion is limited due to the development of residential areas and major highways surrounding the airport.
Dubai’s Upcoming Airport: Al Maktoum International
The new Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central, is already open for cargo operations since 2010. However, it is expected to become the main airport for passenger operations in 2034, when the first phase of construction is completed. The estimated cost of this project is $35 billion, and it will span an impressive 27 square miles, making it one of the largest airports in the world.
Scheduled Phased Construction
The first phase of construction is set to be completed in 2034 and will have a capacity of 150 million passengers. This phase includes the construction of Concourse 1, which will be as large as all three current concourses at Dubai International combined. Other major projects in this phase include a West Terminal building, an automated people mover system, and two new runways. Phase 2 will see the construction of a second concourse identical to Concourse 1, while the third and final phase will include the construction of Concourses 3 and 4, an East Terminal, and the connection of the trans-UAE rail system.
State of Al Maktoum Airport Today
Currently, Al Maktoum International Airport is mostly used for cargo operations and is only served by a few airlines, including Turkish Cargo, Emirates, SkyCargo, and others. It also attracts some low-cost carriers like flynas, flyadeal, and S7 Airlines.
Future Plans for Al Maktoum Airport
Once completed, Al Maktoum International Airport will become the main hub for Emirates, and all other airlines operating at Dubai International Airport will move to the new airport. This will also include the transfer of Emirates’ parked Airbus A380s.
Notable Records
Al Maktoum International Airport will break the record for passenger capacity, with a projected capacity of 260 million passengers per year. However, it may not break other records such as the largest airport by area, as Saudi Arabia’s King Fahd International Airport spans 300 square miles. Additionally, it will have five parallel runways, making it one of the few airports in the world with more than four runways.
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