Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport will be world’s biggest and best: CEO

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said a new $35 billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport will put the emirate on the map for the world’s best, biggest, and busiest air passenger terminal to transport 260 million travelers a year once completed.

In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Griffiths also said he envisioned the Middle East becoming an “increasingly important global hub” – thanks to mega-regional aviation expansion, including Saudi Arabia’s new airline Riyadh Air, and new airports in Riyadh and its giga project NEOM.

In April, Dubai approved blueprints for phase two expansion of Dubai World Central (DWC) – Al Maktoum International Airport, which envisages a state-of-the-art 21st-century airport with a capacity to handle 260 million passengers annually, 12 million tonnes of cargo. It will have 400 aircraft stands, five runways – of which four will operate independently – multiple terminals with satellite concourses, boasting of “breakthrough technology that will ensure a seamless experience with significantly reduced walking distances between curb and boarding gates,” Griffiths said.

It will be about five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport (DXB), which has consistently topped the list for the world’s busiest international airports for the last 10 years, and is forecast to welcome 91 million passengers in 2024. DXB was the key to leading the global aviation sector’s post-pandemic recovery.

Once completed – over a 10-year timeframe – DWC aims to fully integrate Dubai International Airport’s operations, said Griffiths.

New airport will replace DXB

“Indeed, the plan is to move the entirety of operations at DXB to DWC, once the new airport is ready and has the required capacity to support the move,” he told Al Arabiya English. “Considering the size and capacity of the new airport, there will be no need or justification for us to operate and maintain two airports.”

“Over the next ten years, DWC is projected to have an annual capacity for up to 150 million passengers to accommodate the move from DXB, where passenger volumes are expected to reach 100 million in the next few years,” he added.

Griffiths further said: “By the time we move to DWC, we will be large enough in terms of traffic volume to justify the available capacity and the ongoing expansion of the new facility to its ultimate size of 260 million passengers per annum.”

Phase two of DWC will see the site expand to about 70 square kilometers, with advanced technology and airport experiences that currently don’t exist in the global aviation space, Griffiths said.

“At Dubai Airports, our goal is to delight our guests with unforgettable experiences, impeccable service, and genuine Arabian hospitality,” he said. “This ethos, which has made DXB a global benchmark, will be carried forward to Al Maktoum International Airport.”

“While it’s still too early to detail specific features of the new airport, it goes without saying that we will offer top-tier lounges, the widest variety of dining options to suit every taste and budget, and premium retail brands as commercial partners,” Griffiths further explained.

“Over the next decade, we will ensure that every aspect of the DWC experience reflects our dedication to comfort and guest satisfaction, reinforcing Dubai’s status as the premier global travel hub and destination of choice,” he said.

Commitment to sustainability

Griffiths said the vision is “to be not only the busiest international airport, but also the best.”

“This means we will continue to elevate our service quality and provide an incomparable experience to our guests. To achieve this at an airport the size of DWC will depend on an intelligently designed facility that delivers the comfort and efficiencies of a small airport despite its large capacity/size, followed by meticulous planning and strategic implementation of efficient operational systems.”

Sustainability will also be a major focus for the new airport, he said.

“We are committed to incorporating green building practices and renewable energy sources into its design to mitigate the environmental impact of increased operations on the ground.”

For airlines, the expanded capacity and state-of-the-art facilities will allow for increased flight frequencies, new route opportunities, and improved operational efficiency, he added. “This development will ultimately create a more competitive and dynamic aviation market in the region and beyond.”

More routes, connectivity

The increase in airport capacity and potential for more airlines to operate from these terminals is likely to lead to busier air traffic in the region – and keep up with rising demand and pressure on DXB, which has already maxed out its capacity, explained Griffiths.

“The existing airport is slot-constrained with a relatively peaky schedule as a result of the physical limits on possible expansion beyond the current perimeter of the facility,” he said. “While we will continue to enhance efficiency on our airfield and runways to match the improvement of traffic flow within our terminals and concourses, it will be a challenge to keep up with traffic growth once we reach full capacity at DXB.”

The expansion will allow Dubai Airports to accommodate demand from new airlines to establish operations, leading to a greater variety of flight routes and increased connectivity, he said.

“This will benefit travelers by providing more travel options and competitive pricing. Additionally, the enhanced capacity will help manage air traffic growth more efficiently, reducing congestion and delays. Overall, the expansion will contribute to making the region a more attractive hub for international airlines and travelers alike.”

Aligning with Dubai’s wider growth plans

These substantial investments in infrastructure are integral to achieving the broader goals of the UAE’s Vision 2030 as well as D33, a strategy to double Dubai’s economy and make it a global leader by 2033, said Griffiths. “This ten-year plan highlights the direct link between the UAE’s economic growth and the expansion of its aviation sector.”

“As a pillar of the UAE’s economic diversification efforts and Dubai’s economic agenda, D33, the new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport, will make a substantial contribution to the country’s economic landscape. By attracting more visitors, businesses, and investments, DWC will drive job creation, foster innovation, and promote prosperity, aligning with the UAE and Dubai’s vision for a sustainable and diversified economy.”

He added: “These projects will stimulate growth in sectors such as tourism, trade, and logistics, all of which are central to Vision 2030’s aim to reduce dependence on oil revenues and build a sustainable, knowledge-based economy.”

“Furthermore, the emphasis on state-of-the-art facilities and technological innovation aligns with our vision of becoming a global leader in smart infrastructure and digital transformation.”

Regional aviation expansion

The expansion of Al Maktoum Airport comes at a boom time for the regional aviation sector.

The Middle East aviation market, valued at $60 billion in 2023, is predicted to continue to soar until 2030, the organizers of The Airport Show in Dubai said earlier this year.

Air connectivity in the Middle East had seen more than 26 percent growth in 2022, as compared to 2019, and airports in the region are set to handle 1.1 billion passengers by 2040, more than double the 2019 figure of 405 million passengers, according to WAM earlier this year.

The Middle East, with over 110 airports, is among the fastest-growing aviation markets across the plant.

Aside from Dubai’s aviation plans, Sharjah has begun breaking ground on a $327 million terminal expansion that will increase the airport’s capacity to 20 million passengers a year.

As Al Arabiya English had reported earlier this year, a plan is also underway to transform King Abdelaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Saudi Arabia into one of the world’s largest airports with a vast expansion plan that will increase its capacity to 114 million passengers a year. The expected completion date for the project is 2031.

A new Hajj and Umrah terminal at the airport in Jeddah will handle 15 million passengers a year and is expected to be completed by 2025, according to reports. The airport aims to accommodate up to 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050. For cargo, the goal is to process 3.5 million tons a year

Another major airport is planned for NEOM. NEOM International Airport’s first phase will have the capacity to handle 25 million passengers a year. A second phase could take the capacity up to 50 million passengers a year, according to developers behind the project.

Abha International Airport will also undergo a makeover that will see its terminal grow from 113,000 square feet to 700,000 square feet.

Saudi Arabia is also building a massive airport in its capital, Riyadh, which will feature six parallel runways. This new airport is expected to significantly boost annual passenger traffic, with projections reaching 120 million by 2030 and an astounding 185 million by 2050.

Meanwhile, Oman’s airports are anticipated to accommodate 40 million passengers by 2030, a substantial increase from the current 18 million, according to a report released ahead of The Airport Show in Dubai. The Sultanate’s existing infrastructure can handle approximately 24 million passengers, and developments include the inauguration of new airports in Muscat and Duqm in 2019, as well as two new air cargo terminals. Additionally, the $250 million Musandam Airport is under construction and is slated for completion by the fourth quarter of 2026. The project encompasses the building of two runways and a passenger terminal capable of serving 250,000 passengers annually.

In Lebanon, plans are underway to build a new $122 million terminal at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport, with a targeted completion date of three years from now. Once operational in 2027, the new terminal will accommodate 3.5 million passengers annually. Currently, the airport handles 8 million passengers annually, aiming to reach 20 million by 2030.

Bahrain is considering the development of a second airport by 2034, following an expansion as part of a $13 billion investment in its tourism sector. The recently constructed passenger terminal building at Bahrain International Airport (BIA) has doubled its capacity. The proposed new greenfield airport is intended to eventually replace the existing BIA facility due to the limitations of its current infrastructure in meeting the kingdom’s growing airport requirements.

Kuwait aims to expand its airport terminal capacity from six million to 20 million passengers per year by 2030, with the goal of transforming Kuwait International Airport into a major passenger and cargo hub. The new passenger terminal (T2) is one of the projects designed to modernize its infrastructure in line with Vision 2035. The $4.36 billion expansion of Kuwait Airport’s Passenger Terminal-2 is set to increase its annual passenger handling capacity to 13 million by 2025.

Meanwhile, Egypt is focusing on expanding and improving its aviation facilities in anticipation of welcoming up to 30 million visitors by 2028.

Griffiths described it as an exciting time for the regional aviation market.

“The Middle East is becoming an increasingly important hub for global air travel, with GCC states, especially Saudi Arabia, investing heavily not only in their aviation infrastructure, but also travel, tourism and hospitality sectors,” he said. “This collective growth enhances the entire region’s connectivity and competitiveness on the global stage.”

“By expanding our airports and improving our facilities, we are contributing to a more integrated and dynamic aviation market in the region, which benefits all stakeholders – from airlines to passengers.”