Dubai: On Sunday, Dubai announced the commencement of construction on a new terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, which the ruler of the Gulf emirate described as destined to become “the world’s largest” at an estimated cost of nearly $35 billion.
“We approved the designs for the new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, and (are) commencing construction of the building at a cost of AED 128 billion ($34.85 billion),” stated Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, according to Barrons.
Once fully operational, the airport is projected to “handle a passenger capacity of 260 million annually,” according to a government statement.
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that it will boast “the world’s largest capacity” and be “five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport,” which stands as one of the busiest air hubs globally.
According to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of the flag carrier Emirates, “the first phase of the project will be ready within a period of 10 years, with a capacity to accommodate 150 million passengers annually.”
Located on the outskirts of the city, Al Maktoum Airport has garnered a relatively modest share of Dubai’s air traffic since 2010.
Authorities aim for it to supplant Dubai International Airport, which currently has a capacity of up to 120 million passengers annually and is limited in expansion due to its city-centre location.