Set to replace DXB as the world’s biggest and most advanced airport by 2032
Dubai is once again reimagining the future of aviation — this time with Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), a $35 billion mega-project that will soon become the new heart of global air travel.
When complete, DWC won’t just ease the pressure on Dubai International Airport (DXB) — which is expected to reach full capacity by 2031 — it will redefine what an airport can be: a global hub for travel, trade, and innovation.
A bold vision takes flight
Dubai has never been shy about thinking big, and DWC is proof of that.
Envisioned as the largest airport in the world, it’s part of a broader plan to secure Dubai’s place among — and possibly above — aviation powerhouses like London, New York, and Tokyo.
The goal? To make Dubai not just a stopover, but the center of gravity for international air travel.
Mind-blowing capacity and design
Once fully operational, DWC will be capable of handling:
- 260 million passengers per year
- Five parallel runways
- 400 aircraft gates
This level of scale would make it one of the most advanced and efficient airports ever built.
Currently, Emirates Airline runs around 1,500 weekly flights from DXB and 70 cargo flights from DWC, but these numbers are expected to grow rapidly as operations shift toward the new site.
The development also incorporates AI-driven technologies and eco-friendly designs to boost efficiency while reducing its environmental footprint.
A city within a city
DWC isn’t just an airport — it’s the centerpiece of Dubai South, a vast economic and residential zone that will support over a million people and thousands of businesses.
Spanning 70 square kilometers — about five times the size of DXB — the project will form the world’s largest integrated aerospace and logistics cluster, transforming Dubai’s southern region into a hub of innovation, trade, and community life.
Passenger operations began modestly in 2013, following the launch of cargo services in 2010, but the long-term vision is much bigger: a fully self-contained “aviation city” shaping Dubai’s economy for generations to come.
Phase two: the $34.8 billion expansion
The airport’s second expansion phase is already underway, valued at $34.8 billion (Dh128 billion).
This includes the construction of a state-of-the-art passenger terminal, designed to handle 120+ million travelers in its early years and gradually ramp up to full capacity.
The 2032 milestone
By 2032, DWC is expected to take over most major passenger operations from DXB, which will have reached its maximum capacity of 115 million passengers.
At that point, Al Maktoum Airport is projected to serve around 124 million travelers annually, with plenty of room to grow.
A new era for Dubai aviation
DWC symbolizes Dubai’s long-term commitment to innovation, sustainability, and smart infrastructure.
It’s not just about bigger numbers — it’s about building the foundation for the next century of global travel.
With its five runways, 400 gates, and immense passenger capacity, DWC will ensure Dubai continues to lead the world in connecting people, cultures, and economies — just on an even grander scale. Photo by Marlin Le, Wikimedia commons.
