An exciting announcement about Dubai’s widely popular airports has been made by the emirate’s ruler. The planned changes are set to make significant improvements to Dubai’s two main airports. These airports are already quite efficient and are near the capital city of Dubai, so they are popular picks for travelers. But of course, with traveler demands (and capacity) on the rise and for Dubai to keep up with the times, there needs to be change. So, a new construction plan has been devised to keep the airport afloat and work has already begun. Check out what is being done at the widely popular Dubai Airport and how the upcoming construction will impact travelers.
What Are the Construction Plans on the Dubai Airport?
The recent announcement relayed information about the $35 billion dollar construction project to be completed at the Al Maktoum International Airport. The Al Maktoum airport is going to have the world’s largest traveler capacity once construction is completed. It is currently the second largest airfield of the emirates, with the Dubai International Airport taking first place. So some may be surprised that Dubai’s major airport is not receiving the upgrades. But the upcoming plans for expansion are set to make a worldwide impact.
Four new terminals are being built. These terminals would be about five times the size of the current international airport. They will accommodate 400 gates. This grand addition should help the airport handle up to 260 million passengers annually. This is a step up from the capacity of the last few years which has been around 90 million.
Construction Phases and Timeline
After the first phase of the expansion, the airport is estimated to be able to handle about 130 million passengers per year. This goal should be attained in 2030, when the first phase is scheduled to be completed. The first phase implements an underground baggage handling system, a ground service equipment road network and multiple safety support centers and facilities. After this phase, the operations of Emirates Airlines will be moved entirely from Dubai International to Al Maktoum International Airport. The change should occur by 2034.
The second phase at Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport will include a few other changes. A second concourse and three new people mover stations will be added. But in the final stage of the project a third and fourth concourse will be constructed. Also, the metro line will be expanded, the rail system will be connected and two additional runways will be built. These developments will help Dubai accommodate a growing number of travelers. All in all, the construction on the Dubai airport should be complete after a decades long time-frame at least. But all the big changes do not have a solidified final construction date.
