Dubai has launched one of the world's largest aviation projects. Find out what the new Al Maktoum International Airport will look like, how many passengers it will be able to handle, and how the project will change global travel and the UAE's job market

Dubai continues to strengthen its status as one of the world's major transportation hubs. The emirate's authorities have officially launched a large-scale expansion project for Al Maktoum International Airport, which, upon completion, is expected to become the world's largest airport in terms of passenger traffic and infrastructure.

Investments in the project are estimated at approximately 35 billion US dollars, and its implementation will be one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the history of world aviation.

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The new airport will become Dubai's main air gateway

Al Maktoum International Airport is located in the Dubai South area and already operates some cargo and passenger flights. However, after the completion of a large-scale modernization, it is it that should take over the main air traffic of the emirate.

According to the authorities' plans, over the next decade, the country's largest carriers, Emirates and flydubai, will gradually transfer their key operations to the new airport.

It is expected that the future air hub will be able to serve up to 260 million passengers each year. For comparison, the current Dubai International Airport (DXB) set another record in 2025, serving more than 95 million passengers. Thus, the new complex will have almost three times the throughput capacity.

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The scale of the project is impressive

The new airport is designed as a full-fledged transport megacomplex, capable of meeting the future needs of global aviation for decades to come.

Among the main characteristics of the future facility:

- Area of ​​the complex — about 70 square kilometers;

- Five parallel runways;

- 400 boarding gates;

- Modern automated baggage handling and passenger control systems;

- Capacity of up to 260 million passengers per year;

- Significant increase in cargo traffic.

Particular attention will be paid to the implementation of digital technologies, process automation and innovative solutions to speed up the completion of formalities at the airport.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) – the busiest in the world – will officially cease operations in 2035. Read here why the legendary hub is being closed, what will replace it and how this event will change global aviation.

A new city will appear around the airport

One of the most interesting features of the project is that it is not only about the development of aviation infrastructure.

Around Al Maktoum, they plan to create a new urban center with residential areas, business parks, hotels, logistics complexes, shopping centers and facilities for private aviation.

According to estimates by the Dubai authorities, the new area will be able to provide housing and jobs for about one million people. In fact, a separate airport city is being formed, which will become an important part of the economic development of the emirate.

Read about the launch of high-speed passenger trains between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in this material.

Why Dubai is betting on aviation

Over the past decades, Dubai has consistently invested in transport infrastructure and international connections. Thanks to its advantageous geographical location, the city has become a key point between Europe, Asia and Africa.

The construction of a new airport is part of the UAE's long-term economic development strategy aimed at diversifying the economy and attracting international business, tourists and highly qualified specialists.

Experts predict that after the completion of the project, Al Maktoum will become one of the most important transport hubs in the world and will significantly affect the global air transport market.

What the project means for tourists and expats

The development of the world's largest airport will have a positive impact not only on airlines, but also on travelers.

Among the expected benefits:

- an increase in the number of international flights;

- expansion of the route network between continents;

- reduction of transfer times;

- improvement of the quality of service;

- creating new jobs in tourism, logistics and aviation.

For foreign specialists, this also opens up additional employment opportunities in the UAE, as the large-scale development of infrastructure will require thousands of new workers in various industries.

The new center of global aviation

The construction of Al Maktoum demonstrates Dubai's desire not only to increase passenger traffic, but also to create a new global center for international travel, business and logistics.

If the project is fully implemented, in the coming decades Dubai may become the undisputed leader in the global aviation industry, and the new airport - the main air gateway of the planet.

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Recall! The conflict in the Middle East in 2026 provoked a large-scale redistribution of capital among wealthy residents of the Persian Gulf. Singapore, Switzerland, Monaco and a number of other jurisdictions are competing to attract mobile wealth from Dubai. We have already told you where the rich from the UAE are moving their assets and which countries offer the best conditions.

Photo –  https://www.aljazeera.com/

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