A Mega Aviation Leap: Al Maktoum Airport to Emerge as the World’s Largest

Dubai is setting its sights higher than ever by transforming Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) into the globe’s largest aviation hub. This gargantuan project, with an investment of approximately £23.6 billion (around US $35 billion), aims to handle up to 260 million passengers annually across 70 square kilometers, eclipsing current and under-construction mega-airports like Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport

Vision & Scale

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths confirms the ambitious plan: once the new terminal is fully operational, all operations from the existing Dubai International Airport (DXB) will transition to DWC Al Arabiya EnglishArchitectural Digest. The inaugural phase, due within 7–10 years, will process 150 million passengers, with subsequent phases scaling up to the full 260 million capacity The Sunbaytmagazine.comenr.com.

Masters of Design

The project boasts five parallel runways, 400 aircraft gates, and an ultra-modern terminal under a sweeping canopy—a design by Leslie Jones Architecture featuring lush greenery and water features dubaiomg.comenr.comArchitectural Digest.

Tech & Sustainability

Built for the future, DWC will integrate state-of-the-art tech: AI-powered security, robotic staff, biometric screening, automated baggage systems, and people movers—some reaching speeds up to 50 km/h. Sustainability is key, with LEED Gold certification aimed at in new structures Mighty Travels Premiumbaytmagazine.comReddit.

Aerotropolis: Airport City

Contextually, the airport anchors Dubai South, a smart urban zone aiming to house up to 1 million residents, generate half a million jobs, and include a commercial district, aerospace hub, logistics area, residential quarters, and leisure facilities like golf courses