Dubai South, a planned city that aims to accommodate 1 million residents, is undergoing massive expansion plans for the Al Maktoum International Airport. The emirate is determined to build the world’s largest airport with a passenger capacity of 260 million and $35 billion investment. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, emphasized the importance of ensuring continuous development for future generations, making Dubai the world’s airport, port, urban hub, and new global center.
The construction of the expanded airport will cost AED 128 billion over the next 10 years. The new facility will feature five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, consolidating all international flights that currently operate out of Dubai International Airport. With an anticipated housing needs of 1 million people in mind, Dubai plans to build an entire city around the airport.
The Al Maktoum International Airport was opened in 2010 with one terminal and two runways as part of Dubai South’s economic zone. Plans are underway to provide housing for 1 million residents and create 500,000 jobs across a 55-square mile area. These expansion plans coincide with the recovery of air travel in Dubai to pre-pandemic levels, with approximately 17.15 million international visitors in
