Dubai has unveiled plans for Al Maktoum International Airport, set to become the world's largest aviation hub with an annual capacity of 260 million passengers by 2032. The project, costing approximately £26 billion ($35 billion), according to the British Aviation Group, will feature two terminals, five parallel runways, and over 430 aircraft stands.
Scale and Design
Each concourse will be a megastructure with a built-up area of 2.3 million square metres stretched across 2.7 kilometres. The Dubai Government confirmed that work on the first phase is proceeding on schedule, with flights expected to commence in six years. The airport will include a 14-station Automated People Mover (APM) railway service to connect passengers to gates and transport links.
Images reveal a 'futuristic' curved white roof, extensive indoor green spaces, palm trees, and floating parks. The central piazza will house shops, restaurants, entertainment, and relaxation areas. Advanced biometric scanning, AI-powered security, and off-site baggage drop are planned to create a seamless, queue-free experience.
Airlines and Transport Links
Emirates and Flydubai are expected to use Al Maktoum International as a major hub. The airport will also be connected via new Dubai Metro lines and Etihad Rail to the rest of Dubai and the UAE. Car parking will accommodate thousands of vehicles.
Official Statements
On June 15, the Dubai Government confirmed enabling works, runway infrastructure, and initial structural foundations for passenger terminals and gates are underway. A spokesperson said the project 'remains on course to commence operations in 2032, in accordance with its long-term master plan.'
Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, stated: 'Al Maktoum International Airport is far more than an expansion of aviation infrastructure; it is a fully integrated global platform that will redefine the future of travel and logistics.' He added that the airport is designed to deliver a 'seamless, intelligent, and customer-centric experience powered by advanced technologies.'
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said the airport will 'serve as a key pillar in advancing the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33,' a 10-year plan launched in 2023 to double Dubai's economy by 2033 and establish it among the top three global cities for business, tourism, and investment.
Regional Context
Dubai's current main airport, Dubai International (DXB), was the second busiest in the world in 2025 with 95.2 million passengers. However, after conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, passenger numbers plummeted to 2.5 million in March, down 65.7% year-on-year. Following the lifting of airspace restrictions, DXB entered a recovery phase. On June 18, the UK Foreign Office lifted its warning against all but essential travel to the UAE, though caution is still advised.
