Dubai is getting ready to shift gears in global aviation with the first phase of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) set to be completed by 2032. Once operational, this new mega-airport will begin to take over all flight operations from the current Dubai International Airport (DXB), according to a new update shared during The Airport Show.
The announcement was made by Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, who confirmed that construction plans are on track, with contractors already engaged. A key development in the rollout includes the awarding of a AED 1 billion contract for the construction of a second runway, a step towards boosting the airport’s long-term capacity and efficiency.
Once Phase 1 is ready, Al Maktoum International will be able to handle up to 150 million passengers per year, making it one of the largest and most advanced airport facilities in the world.But there’s more to come.
At the end of April, authorities also revealed that by 2050, the airport will feature an underground train system to improve passenger movement across the vast site — a move that reflects Dubai’s ambitions to make DWC the most futuristic airport ever built.
The project is part of Dubai’s wider strategy to reshape global air travel and expand the city’s long-term aviation infrastructure. With DXB currently among the world’s busiest airports, the transition to DWC will be a significant shift for both airlines and travellers.
