‘400 aircraft gates, five runways’ — Dubai to build ‘world’s largest’ airport terminal at $34.8bn

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced plans to build a new passenger terminal at the Al Maktoum International Airport.

Speaking in a post on X, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, said designs for the new terminal were approved on Sunday.

Al Maktoum said the project, which is part of Dubai Aviation Corporation’s strategy, would require AED 128 billion ($34.8 billion) for construction.

“Al Maktoum International Airport will enjoy the world’s largest capacity, reaching up to 260 million passengers,” the tweet reads.

“It will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, and all operations at Dubai International Airport will be transferred to it in the coming years.

“The airport will accommodate 400 aircraft gates and feature five parallel runways. New aviation technologies will be employed for the first time in the aviation sector.

“As we build an entire city around the airport in Dubai South, demand for housing for a million people will follow. It will host the world’s leading companies in the logistics and air transport sectors.

“We are building a new project for future generations, ensuring continuous and stable development for our children and their children in turn.

“Dubai will be the world’s airport, its port, its urban hub, and its new global center.”

On April 17, a year’s worth of rainfall in the UAE left the city flooded and disrupted airport operations.

A video posted online showed the tarmac of Dubai International Airport — recently crowned the second busiest in the world — underwater as massive aircraft attempted to navigate floodwaters.