Dubai, UAE — Dubai plans to award strategic contracts worth more than AED55 billion ($15 billion) for the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport over the coming months, as construction advances on what is set to become the world’s largest aviation hub.
The projects form part of the airport’s long-term development programme, with the first phase scheduled to begin operations in 2032, according to Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The airport expansion is a key component of Dubai’s economic development plans and is expected to significantly increase the emirate’s aviation, logistics and transport capacity over the coming decades.
“Work on the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion continues according to the approved timeline, with phase one scheduled to begin operations in 2032,” Sheikh Hamdan said in a post on X.
Construction gains momentum
Dubai officials said contracts worth AED13 billion are currently under execution, reflecting the project’s transition into a large-scale construction phase.
More than 10 million work hours have been completed during the past 15 months, while ongoing works include enabling packages, runway infrastructure and the initial structural foundations for passenger terminals and aircraft gates.
Engineer Suzanne Al Anani, chief executive of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, said construction activities currently include the installation of more than 17,000 concrete piles and excavation works exceeding 45 million cubic metres.
She said the core infrastructure package alone includes approximately 4.5 million cubic metres of concrete works, underscoring the scale of the project.
The workforce at the site currently numbers around 9,000 people and is expected to rise to approximately 120,000 at peak construction activity.
Major contracts ahead
The next phase of development will see several large packages awarded before the end of the year, with a combined value exceeding AED55 billion.
The planned contracts include substructure and superstructure works for the Western Passenger Terminal, the fourth aircraft concourse, the airport’s Automated People Mover system and its baggage handling system.
Additional packages cover long-span structural frameworks for buildings spanning around 1.5 million square metres, southern airfield infrastructure, power generation facilities and district cooling plants supporting the broader construction programme. Facade and roofing contracts are also expected to be awarded this year.
Supporting Dubai’s growth strategy
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports and Dubai Aviation City Corporation, described the development as one of Dubai’s most important strategic projects, saying it would strengthen the emirate’s position as a global aviation and logistics hub.
Officials said the project is aligned with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and is designed to support future growth in travel, trade and logistics while attracting investment and creating long-term economic opportunities.
Upon completion, Al Maktoum International Airport will have annual capacity for more than 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of air cargo. The facility will feature five parallel runways, two passenger terminals, seven concourses and more than 430 aircraft stands. It will also incorporate automated transport systems and integrated air, rail and road connectivity.
