Over the period to come, Al Maktoum International (AMI) will take over all of Dubai International’s (DXB) activities. In 10 years, the Dh128-billion passenger terminal at the AMI unveiled on Sunday, would “fully absorb” DXB’s activities and increase passenger capacity to 260 million yearly.
The second stage of the airport’s expansion has begun with this announcement. The operator of both airports stated in a statement that DXB will remain the main hub, “meeting the needs of 100 million plus guests over the next few years as phase two of DWC takes shape.”
Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai, published images of the AMI and referred to the airport as its “future home”.
When it is completely operational, the airport will cover 70 square kilometers which is five times larger than DXB. More than 400 aircraft gates will be housed in five-passenger terminals with five parallel runways.
A senior official had disclosed intentions to replace DXB the busiest airport in the world with a larger one in November of last year. According to preliminary estimates DXB will handle more than 88.8 million passengers by 2024.
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“Al Maktoum International Airport will have the greatest capacity in the world, accommodating up to 260 million passengers,” declared Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the ruler of Dubai and the vice president of the United Arab Emirates. “The aviation sector will utilize novel aviation technologies for the first time.”
The demand for housing for a million people will arise when the emirate constructs an “entire city” around the airport in Dubai South, according to the Dubai Ruler. The top businesses in the world for air travel and logistics will be based there. Dubai will be the airport, port, metropolitan center, and new global hub of the world.
The project’s first phase, which can accommodate 150 million passengers annually, is anticipated to be completed in ten years.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, stated that Al Maktoum International will include five parallel runways with a quadruple independent operation, west and east processing terminals, four satellite concourses with over 400 aircraft contact stands, an uninterrupted automated people mover system for travellers, as well as a combined landside transportation center for highways, Metro.
It will “lay the foundation” for the projected 40 years of expansion in Dubai’s aviation industry.
Economic Benefits
According to Dubai Aviation City Corporation executive chairman Khalifa Al Zaffin, the airport is expected to create employment and housing needs for more than a million people who live and employment in Dubai South, “which has been operational and under development since 2007”.
AMI began operating cargo flights in 2010 and began operating passenger flights in 2013. It helps in reducing atmospheric emissions.