Dubai’s Ruler Approved $35 Billion For New Airport Terminal
Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum approved the design for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. This project will cost around AED 128 Billion. The development of the new terminal will significantly increase the passenger handling capacity of the airport.
Sheikh Mohemmed Bin Rashid said on X, formerly known as Twitter, “We approved the designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, and (are) commencing construction of the building at a cost of AED 128 billion ($34.85 billion).”
Sheikh Mohammed also said on X, “As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow. It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors.”
He further emphasized, “We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn. Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global center.”
He further stated that it would be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport.
“The first phase of the project will be ready within a period of 10 years, with a capacity to accommodate 150 million passengers annually,” said Sheik Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of flag carrier Emirates.
After the development of the new terminal, the Al Maktoum International Airport will become the largest in the world with a capacity to handle 260 million passengers. Reports also state that all operations at Dubai Airport would be transferred to Al Maktoum in the coming years. There will be 400 terminal gates and five runways and this airport will become the new home of flagship carriers Emirates and Flydubai.
Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airport stated, “The growth of Dubai has always been hand in hand with the growth of its aviation infrastructure and today we see another bold step on that journey.” He further added that this new development would further strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading aviation hub.
