Dubai has embarked on a monumental project with the initiation of a $35 billion expansion of its airport terminal, aiming to establish the world's largest capacity upon completion. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s Prime Minister and Vice President, unveiled plans for the new terminal, projected to be five times the size of the existing Dubai International Airport, accommodating up to 260 million passengers annually.

Sheikh Mohammed affirmed that all operations at Dubai International Airport would gradually transition to the newer Al Maktoum International Airport in the coming years. Emphasizing the broader vision, he highlighted the creation of an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, anticipating a surge in demand for housing and attracting leading companies in logistics and air transport sectors.

The visionary leader expressed a commitment to building a legacy for future generations, ensuring sustained development for offspring. Dubai aspires to become the quintessential global hub, encompassing air travel, maritime trade, urbanization, and emerging as a new global epicenter.

Al Maktoum International Airport, inaugurated in 2010, is poised to become the new headquarters for Emirates, boasting five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates upon completion. Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, hailed the expansion as a pivotal milestone, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a premier aviation hub.

Dubai International Airport has maintained its status as the world’s busiest airport for international travel for a decade, experiencing burgeoning passenger traffic, surpassing pre-pandemic levels with nearly 87 million passengers in the previous year. The city also celebrated a record influx of international overnight visitors in 2023, registering a remarkable 20 percent increase from the preceding year.