Dubais Aviation Evolution: Al Maktoum International to Take Center Stage

In a significant move set to reshape Dubai’s aviation landscape, all operations at Dubai International (DXB) are slated for migration to Al Maktoum International (AMI) over the coming years. The unveiling of a new Dh128-billion passenger terminal at AMI on Sunday heralds a transformative phase, with passenger capacity scaling up to a staggering 260 million annually, aiming to seamlessly integrate DXB’s operations within a decade.

This announcement signifies phase two of AMI’s expansion, with DXB continuing as the primary hub to accommodate over 100 million guests in the interim period as phase two of DWC unfolds, as confirmed by the operator overseeing both airports.

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has hailed AMI as its “future home,” underscoring the airline’s commitment to the burgeoning facility with shared photos of the development.

AMI, set to be five times larger than DXB upon full operation, will sprawl across 70 square kilometers. Boasting five parallel runways and five passenger terminals accommodating more than 400 aircraft gates, it represents a monumental leap in Dubai’s aviation infrastructure.

In November of the previous year, plans to supersede DXB — currently the world’s busiest airport — with a more expansive counterpart were disclosed. Initial projections indicate DXB’s traffic is poised to surpass 88.8 million passengers by 2024.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, envisages AMI as the world’s largest capacity airport, accommodating up to 260 million passengers. Pioneering aviation technologies will be employed, marking a paradigm shift in the sector.

Anticipating a bustling ecosystem around AMI, Dubai’s ruler envisions the integration of leading companies in logistics and air transport sectors, transforming Dubai into a global epicenter for aviation and urban development.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, emphasized AMI’s comprehensive features, including multiple runways, terminals, and an integrated transport hub, poised to accommodate Dubai’s aviation growth for the next four decades.

Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, projects AMI to catalyze economic growth, generating employment and residential opportunities for over a million individuals in Dubai South.

AMI, inaugurated in 2010 for cargo operations and later expanded to passenger flights in 2013, is positioned not only to enhance operational efficiency but also to contribute to environmental sustainability by mitigating emissions.

As Dubai’s aviation sector continues to soar, AMI emerges as a pivotal cornerstone, poised to propel the emirate into new heights of connectivity, economic prosperity, and sustainable development.