Dubai to invest $35 billion to build world’s largest airport

Dubai is all set to build world’s largest airports, with 400 terminal gates. If reports are to go by, the administration is embarking on a monumental expansion of an airport, which will be around five times the size of its current international airport.

Recently, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the emirate’s ruler, unveiled plans for the upgraded Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become the world’s largest airport that will be capable of handling 260 million passengers.
In a statement shared on X, Sheikh Mohammed stressed about the importance of this endeavour for future generations, which will further position Dubai as the epitome of global connectivity and urban sophistication. He outlined ambitious plans for the airport, including the construction of five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, at an estimated cost of AED 128 billion or $35 billion over the next decade.

If reports are to go by, this monumental project will not only transform Dubai’s aviation landscape, but will also lead to the development of an entire city around the airport. He estimated that the construction cost over a decade at AED 128 billion, equivalent to $35 billion, and outlined plans for the emirate to develop “a complete city around the airport,” anticipating the need to accommodate housing for one million people.

The airport, designed to be the nucleus of Dubai South, will be a planned economic zone spanning across a vast area of 55 square miles, and is poised to emerge as a thriving hub for commerce and innovation.

Referring to this, Sheikh Mohammed further stressed about the prominent role of advanced aviation technologies in shaping the airport’s future, heralding a new era of efficiency and connectivity. Furthermore, he also emphasised about the airport’s strategic importance which extends beyond mere transportation, and serves as a dynamic nexus for global trade, commerce, and culture.

As Dubai charts a course toward this bold vision, the announcement comes amid a resurgence in air travel, with international visitor numbers returning to pre-pandemic levels. With the Al Maktoum International Airport poised to become the cornerstone of Dubai’s aviation infrastructure, the emirate is poised to solidify its status as a global leader in air transportation and urban development.

Originally Published at TIMESOFINDIA