By dubailife 
Dubai has unveiled ambitious plans for Al Maktoum International Airport, set to become the world’s largest airport by capacity.
The announcement, made on Sunday, April 28, 2024, details a Dhs128 billion project that, when completed, will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport.
Currently, the airport in Dubai South, also known as Dubai World Central, serves only a fraction of the 260 million passengers it is designed to accommodate in the future.
But what is the background of this project? When is it expected to be completed? And how will it transform the city?
The History of Al Maktoum International Airport When Al Maktoum International Airport first opened in 2010, its beginnings were modest compared to the grand vision for its future. Initially, it had only one runway and was used exclusively for cargo flights, with passenger services beginning in 2013.
Construction of the airport started in 2005, with the goal of eventually creating a fully integrated ‘aerotropolis’ in Jebel Ali, Dubai South—a new city within the emirate centered around the airport. The 140 square kilometer project will feature six clustered zones, including Dubai Logistics City, Commercial City, Residential City, Aviation City, and Golf City.
Over the years, the airport has been known by several names, including Jebel Ali International Airport, Jebel Ali Airport City, and Dubai World Central International Airport.
This recent announcement is not the first time the city has declared that Al Maktoum would become the world’s busiest airport; similar projections were made in 2013, suggesting it would reach that status within a decade. However, this latest update signals that the project is now fully underway.
What to Expect Once Al Maktoum International Airport is Complete When fully completed, Al Maktoum International Airport will be five times larger than the existing Dubai International Airport, which is already the busiest in the world for international passengers. The new airport will accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually—far surpassing the 86 million who passed through Dubai International Airport in 2023.
The airport will feature more than 400 aircraft gates, five parallel runways with the highest operational standards, and five passenger terminal buildings. The entire complex will cover 70 square kilometers.
Eventually, all operations currently based at Dubai International Airport will be relocated to Al Maktoum International Airport.
When Will the Al Maktoum International Airport Project Be Completed? Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO and founder of the Emirates Group, and chairman of Dubai World, has stated that the first phase of the project will be completed within 10 years, with the capacity to handle 150 million passengers annually.
Source : Timeoutdubai