The Government of Dubai has confirmed that the first phase of the Al Maktoum International Airport development is progressing according to schedule, with a number of major advancements made across key construction packages and preparations now underway for the tendering and award of future contracts.
Currently, the airport is expected to begin operations in 2032, with recent developments including the achievement of key milestones in enabling works, runway infrastructure, and the initial foundations for passenger terminals and aircraft gates.
The project is considered one of Dubai’s most important strategic infrastructure developments, and will play a central role in supporting future economic growth and global connectivity.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has praised the project team, highlighting the airport’s role in the advancement of Dubai’s long-term vision through infrastructure that aims to support sustainable growth, strengthen competitiveness and enhance the emirate’s position as a global hub.
His Highness said:A key enabler of the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, the Al Maktoum International Airport project will expand the aviation sector’s capacity and enhance the efficiency of the emirate’s transport and logistics ecosystem.
This will attract high-value investments, broaden business activity, and create sustainable economic opportunities that will support Dubai’s development journey for decades to come.
The project has now entered a major construction phase, will packages currently underway exceeding values of 13 billion AED.
Works now in progress include the installation of more than 17,000 concrete piles, excavation of over 45 million cubic metres, completion of a second runway, and major infrastructure works involving approximately 4.5 million cubic metres of concrete.
With more than 10 million work hours having been completed over the last 15 months; the on-site workforce is expected to grow from 9,000 to around 120,000 during peak construction.
Preparations are also underway to award a series of major contracts worth over 55 billion AED by the end of 2026, including those concerning works for passenger terminals, aircraft concourses, automated people-moving systems, baggage handling systems, structural frameworks, airfield infrastructure, power generation facilities, and district cooling plants.
Once complete, Al Maktoum International Airport is expected to become the world’s largest aviation hub, with annual capacity exceeding 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo.
The airport will consist of five independent parallel runways, two passenger terminals, seven concourses, more than 430 aircraft stands and fully integrated air, rail and road connectivity.
Elsewhere; the Government of Dubai is investing around 16 billion AED into the enhancement of terminals, transport access, airfield operations and baggage systems at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central – with contracts worth over 7.5 billion AED already awarded.
