Dubai approves plans for world’s largest airport

The news: Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has approved a new passenger terminal in Al Maktoum International airport that will make it the world’s largest airport by capacity.

The numbers: The new airport will cost 128 billion AED ($53.4 billion) and would have a capacity of up to 260 million passengers, five times the size of Dubai International Airport. The Al Maktoum airport will also include 400 terminal gates and five runways.

The context: The airport will be the new home of state-owned flagship carrier Emirates and its sister low-cost airline Flydubai along with all airline partners connecting the world to and from Dubai, Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum said. All operations at Dubai airport would be transferred to Al Maktoum within 10 years.

The decision comes as the number of passengers flying through Dubai Airport has surged after the pandemic, last year crossing 86.9 million passengers. It has put pressure on Dubai airport’s capacity, which is constrained on all sides by residential neighbourhoods and two major highways.