How will the new $35 billion terminal change Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport?

Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced on Sunday that the emirate will build a new terminal that is expected to have the largest capacity in the world once completed. Al Jazeera mentionted.

According to Al Maktoum, who is also the prime minister and vice president of Dubai, the new terminal will be five times larger than the current Dubai International Airport (DXB).

It is estimated to cost $35 billion and will be able to serve up to 260 million passengers annually.

He also revealed that all operations at DXB will eventually be transferred to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), where the new terminal will be built.

So how will the new terminal change the face of DWC?

DWC, which is currently the secondary airport in Dubai, is a recent addition that is rapidly emerging.

Established in 2010, the airport is located in the south of Dubai, away from the main tourist areas and has a limited number of airlines and destinations.

It provides fewer amenities and facilities for passengers, with fewer shopping, dining and entertainment options compared to DXB.

Additionally, access to DWC is limited because there are fewer options for public transportation and parking.

Currently, it has fewer terminals and focuses on cargo and shipping operations.

However, this will all change soon.

The new project for the 70 square kilometer airport will have 400 aircraft gates, five parallel runways and new aviation technology, alongside the capacity to handle 12 million tonnes of annual cargo.

The project, which is expected to be completed in phases, is expected to complete its first phase within 10 years, which could enable the facility to accommodate 150 million passengers annually.