In 2024, formal arrangements were established for a significant enhancement to Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to succeed Dubai International Airport as Emirates’ new base. While there has been limited information regarding the completion timeline for this project, we are gradually gaining a clearer picture.
### Background on Dubai Al Maktoum Airport
To provide context, Dubai International Airport (DXB) is currently Dubai’s primary international airport, consistently ranking among the busiest worldwide, with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) being the only one busier. In previous years, annual passenger traffic at the airport has neared 100 million. This surge is predominantly attributed to Emirates’ extensive route network, establishing Dubai as a global hub.
Nevertheless, Dubai has even grander ambitions. Despite Abu Dhabi being in close proximity, Dubai boasts a secondary airport, Dubai Al Maktoum Airport (DWC), commonly known as Dubai World Central Airport.
Although the airport officially opened in 2010, the overarching plan has always been for Emirates to ultimately move to this facility. However, developments have not unfolded as intended. Currently, the airport mainly serves cargo flights and acts as a storage location for numerous Emirates jets that are not operational (during the pandemic, it effectively became a massive parking area for A380s and 777s).
The objective has been for the airport to develop into the primary hub in the region, replacing the existing airport. However, over time, the government has not consistently pursued this aim.
For instance, the airport was originally expected to be fully operational by 2017, but the global financial crisis delayed that timeline by ten years, shifting it to 2027. In 2019, airport expansion plans were halted as Dubai seemed reluctant to continue investing in an airport with an uncertain future. This decision followed the slowest growth year in the UAE since 2010. The pandemic further postponed these plans.
### Dubai Al Maktoum Airport will see massive expansion
In April 2024, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, greenlit plans for new passenger terminals at Dubai Al Maktoum Airport, initiating a 128 billion AED (~35 billion USD) project. The aim is for Dubai Al Maktoum Airport to emerge as the largest globally.
The expectation is that upon the opening of the initial new facility, the airport will have the capacity to accommodate 150 million passengers annually. However, with further expansion, it will ultimately cater to up to 260 million passengers each year.
In terms of size, the airport will span 70 square kilometers, which is five times larger than the existing Dubai International Airport. Al Maktoum Airport will include five distinct passenger terminals, capable of managing up to 400 aircraft gates. Additionally, the airport will feature an impressive five parallel runways.
Given the significance of this hub, Dubai will also develop an entire city surrounding the airport under the Dubai South project, which will provide housing for an additional million residents. Naturally, public transportation to and from the airport will be prioritized, given its southern location relative to downtown Dubai.
In 2024, it was stated that all operations would transition to the new Dubai Al Maktoum Airport within a decade, targeting 2034 as the timeframe. However, recently it has come to light that this schedule has advanced significantly. Specifically, both Emirates and FlyDubai aim to establish Dubai Al Maktoum Airport as their new base by 2032.
I believe that this timeline is quite solid at this stage, considering the substantial number of aircraft on order by Dubai-based airlines that cannot currently operate from the existing airport.
### I’m happy to see Dubai’s airport plans
The current Dubai International Airport is approaching capacity, and constructing a new mega-airport takes time, so it is encouraging that the government has finally committed to a definitive plan. Not only does Emirates require a new airport for expansion, but it also needs one to sustain its existing capacity.
This necessity arises as Emirates continues to evolve its fleet, which will necessitate operating more aircraft to transport the same number of passengers. Based on current projections, Emirates is expected to phase out its Airbus A380s by the 2040s, subsequently operating Boeing 777s, Boeing 787s, and Airbus A350s, all of which have lower capacity. Moreover, FlyDubai is also undergoing significant expansion, planning to operate a fleet comprising hundreds of planes, thus also requiring a new location.
I am quite eager to observe Emirates’ transition.