Dubai is building the world’s largest airport, designed to handle up to 260 million passengers a year. Al Maktoum aims to become the new global hub of air travel.
Dubai is constructing a brand-new international airport – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), located approximately 37 kilometers from the city center in the Jebel Ali area. The project responds to the growing demand for travel, trade, and cargo transport. Dubai International Airport (DXB), which handled a record 92 million passengers in 2024, has reached its capacity and cannot be expanded further due to dense urban development.
To solve this, the city is investing 35 billion USD into new infrastructure that aspires to become not only the world’s largest airport but also a technological and urban milestone.
What will Al Maktoum offer?
In its initial phase, DWC will be able to handle up to 160 million passengers per year, with final capacity projected to reach 260 million. The airport will feature five parallel runways and several terminals capable of managing dozens of aircraft simultaneously. A cargo center will also be built, processing up to 13 million tons of goods annually.
Technology will play a key role – passengers can expect fully automated and contactless check-in, facial recognition systems, robotic baggage handling, and a quiet airport experience using visual navigation instead of announcements. Sustainability is a priority – including water recycling, infrared aircraft de-icing, and LEED Gold environmental certification.
What will happen to DXB?
The future of DXB remains a key question. According to current plans, it will remain operational for several more years, with all flights expected to move to DWC around 2034. Emirates has even proposed a one-time transfer. After DXB’s closure, valuable land in the heart of Dubai will become available for new urban development – similar to what happened in Hong Kong after the closure of the iconic Kai Tak airport.
There are also plans for parts of the DXB site to be transformed into a hub for aerial urban mobility, particularly autonomous flying taxis. Dubai is already testing vertiports and working with innovators like Joby Aviation and Volocopter. DXB may thus continue to play a key role – this time in the sky above the city.
A new city takes shape
The DWC project is more than just an airport. A completely new city district for over a million people will rise around it – combining residential, commercial, logistics, and aviation functions. New roads, metro lines, and advanced transportation systems (including city drones) will be built. Property interest is already growing – rents in Dubai South are rising by up to 15%, and the airport hasn’t even opened yet.
For comparison: How does DWC measure up?
To better understand the scale of Al Maktoum, here’s a comparison with some of the busiest airports worldwide in 2024:
Airport: | Current Traffic: |
Atlanta (ATL), USA | 108,1 |
Dubai (DXB) | 92,3 |
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), USA | 87,8 |
Tokyo Haneda (HND) | 86 |
London Heathrow (LHR) | 83,9 |
Istanbul (IST) | 80,1 |
Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) | 67,4 |
As shown, Al Maktoum is set to surpass even the busiest airports of today. Dubai is aiming for the very top of global aviation infrastructure.
The United Arab Emirates is a land of superlatives – and this massive project is no exception.
More posts from our blog
The Future of Dubai: What Will the City Look Like in 2040?
Does Dubai have a master plan? Yes – and it reaches all the way to 2040. And it’s definitely not just boring maps wit...
When Opera Echoes Beneath Skyscrapers: A Czech Footprint in the Heart of Dubai
Did you know that Dubai has a world-class opera house where the Czech language echoed this year? Dubai Opera surprise...
A Neighbourhood on the Rise: Dubai Creek Harbour
Can a new city centre also be a peaceful waterfront retreat? Dubai Creek Harbour proves it’s possible – and surprisin...
