Al Maktoum International Airport will be the world’s largest airport by scale, passenger volume – finally to serve upto 260 million travellers annually and being tech savvy embracing AI, biometrics as well as sustainability technologies.

The Dubai Airshow showcased a full-scale replica of Al Maktoum International Airport and many were in awe at the diverse range of residential zones, business sectors, cultural institutions, hotels, restaurants hospitals etc in southwest Dubai – Dubai World Central (DWC).

The airport expansion will serve 150 million passengers annually by 2032, with a final capacity of 260 million travellers. Plans are afoot to use advanced engineering, biometric processing, AI-based security screening, have sustainable design, integrate transport systems including Etihad Rail.

DWC is expected to be five times the size of the existing Dubai International Airport (DXB) with five parallel runways and an astonishing 400 aircraft gates. But the best part is that Etihad Rail (UAE’s national railway project) will have a scheduled stop at Al Maktoum International Airport. Etihad Rail will connect key cities – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Al Ain, Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Al Dhaid, Ghuweifat (Saudi Arabia), and Sohar (Oman).

A major international boost to Dubai’s aviation future was announced today at Dubai Airshow 2025 as the UK Export Finance (UKEF) issued a US$3.5 billion Expression of Interest letter to support participation of UK’s businesses in the US$35 billion expansion of Al Maktoum International.

The Expression of Interest letter was presented at a ceremony at the Dubai South Stand at Dubai Airshow, where Sir Chris Bryant, UK Minister for Trade handed the document to H. E. Eng. Khalifa Al Zaffin. Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, and Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

Emirates airline will also invest $10-12 billion (Dh36.7-Dh44 billion) in Al Maktoum International Airport. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline is confident that it will be smooth sailing in terms of funding the transition from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport by 2032.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said, “The Al Maktoum International Airport expansion project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rethink how an airport should work and how the journey of the future should feel.”

The expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport will deliver an airport designed for the next 50 years of aviation growth.

Dubai Airshow returns from 15-19 November 2027 at DWC, Dubai