Dubai to Build the World’s Largest Airport Terminal 

On Sunday, Dubai announced that they are planning on the initiation of construction for a new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. The ruler of the Gulf emirate declared it would be hailed as “the world’s largest” terminal, boasting an anticipated cost nearing $35 billion.

“We approved the designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport and (are) commencing construction of the building for AED 128 billion ($34.85 billion),” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is the ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, on the X platform.

The government has promised that once the airport is completed the new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport is poised to accommodate up to 260 million passengers annually. Sheikh Mohammed characterized it as possessing “the world’s largest capacity,” competing with the best yet Dubai International Airport, which is one of the busiest air hubs globally, by fivefold.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who is the president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of Emirates, said, “The initial phase of the project will be completed within a decade, with a capacity to serve 150 million passengers annually.”

The CEO of Emirates also highlighted that the airport will serve as the new hub for flagship carrier Emirates, its cost effective counterpart Flydubai, and all airline partners, facilitating seamless global connections to and from Dubai.

Located on the outskirts of the city, Al Maktoum Airport has struggled to get a good portion of Dubai’s air traffic since its establishment in 2010. Authorities are predicting that it as a good and capable replacement for Dubai International Airport, which, despite its capability to accommodate up to 120 million passengers annually, faces limitations on expansion due to its central location within the city.