UAE passport ranks among the world’s most powerful in 2026

Dubai is building what may become the most consequential piece of aviation infrastructure in modern history. Approved in April 2024 and now firmly in its construction phase, the mega-expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is designed to redefine how cities connect people, trade, and economies at a scale the world has never seen.

Located within the Dubai South economic zone, DWC is not just an airport project but the anchor of a fully integrated “airport city.” The wider district is planned to house and employ more than one million people, linking aviation, logistics, residential zones, business parks, and innovation clusters into a single economic ecosystem.

Once complete, Al Maktoum International is expected to handle up to 260 million passengers annually and process 12 million tonnes of cargo, cementing Dubai’s position as the world’s leading travel and logistics hub. In physical terms, the airport will span approximately 70 square kilometers, nearly five times the size of Dubai International Airport (DXB).

The infrastructure blueprint reflects this unprecedented ambition. The final design includes five parallel runways, 400 aircraft gates, multiple terminals, and four major concourses, allowing the airport to handle peak global traffic volumes without congestion. The layout is engineered for scalability, ensuring operations can expand seamlessly over decades.

Technology sits at the core of the project. DWC is being designed as one of the most advanced airports ever built, with AI-driven passenger flow management, biometric check-ins, robotic baggage handling, and smart security systems. An automated people mover network will connect terminals and concourses, reducing transfer times and enhancing passenger experience across the vast site.

The transition to DWC will be gradual and carefully phased. The first operational phase is expected by 2032, delivering capacity for approximately 150 million passengers per year. Over the following decade, all commercial operations at DXB will progressively shift to Al Maktoum International. Full completion of the airport city is anticipated in the 2050s, aligning with Dubai’s long-term economic and population growth strategy.

More than an aviation upgrade, the Al Maktoum International expansion is a cornerstone of Dubai’s future-proofing agenda. By integrating transport, technology, logistics, and urban planning at this scale, the city is positioning itself not just as a global transit hub but as the central nervous system of international travel and trade for generations to come.