Dubai International Airport was recently honoured with the top seat in the list of 10 Busiest Airports of the World(intl. passengers). That said, now Dubai is aiming to resume work at another airport that was on hold since 2019. The large number of travellers recorded every year is ever-increasing and the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport is the need of the hour for the Emirate.
Dubai Considering The Expansion Of Al Maktoum International Airport
This AED120bn project will act as a major boost to the economy of Dubai and it will also be the largest construction project in the Emirate. The airport is also known by the name, Dubai World Central (DWC). The unfinished structure is situated 23 miles southwest of the city centre of Dubai. Prior to expanding to accommodate a very small number of airlines and itineraries in 2013, it previously debuted in 2010 as a freight facility only.
Emirates Airlines would be able to relocate from its current location at DXB to Dubai World Central post the completion of the construction. All thanks to a first-stage expansion project that would span the airfield’s enormous 35,000-acre property.
The official launch of Al Maktoum Airport expansion was back in 2014. By 2050, the plan is for constructing the largest airport in history, capable of accommodating 255 million passengers annually. The initial phase, which might finish in 2030, will increase the airport’s annual passenger capacity to 130 million.
A total of 56 square kilometres will be covered by the development.
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Come Future, Dubai International Airport Might Face Capacity Crunch
#DXB has been named as the world’s busiest international airport for the ninth year in a row! ✈️
In 2022, we crafted smooth, seamless journeys for over 66 million guests as we connected them to the world. Read more: https://t.co/R0poeFVMdU pic.twitter.com/vb0VCw2z2l
— Dubai Airports (@DubaiAirports) April 5, 2023
The victory of ranking in the list came with a warning to the airport facilities and the government in general it seems. The capacity crunch in the future seems very realistic and that might have nudged the revival of the expansion plan. DXB predicts a slight decrease from the 86 million passengers handled in 2019 to about 78 million passengers throughout 2023. Soon it might completely return to pre-pandemic capacity in 2024. And this situation wouldn’t be a piece of cake.
The presence of only two runways at Dubai International Airport might face challenges to handle the increasing number of passengers. And if the capacity exhausts, having a backup airport and runways is crucial to tackling the such crisis.
We are waiting for more details regarding Al Maktoum International Airport.
Cover Image Courtesy: Dubai Airports