Dubai: The $32 billion (Dh117.5 billion) expansion of Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) is set to go ahead with construction likely to begin by the end of the year.
The project was endorsed on Monday by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in a statement issued by Dubai Airports.
DWC opened to passenger airlines last October with an initial capacity of between five and seven million and has seen a steady take-up of carriers including Qatar Airways and Gulf Air, who also maintain operations at Dubai International.
The first phase of expansion will take six to eight years to build and will be able to accommodate 120 million passengers a year once completed.
“Unless they break ground by the end of the year we probably won’t achieve the aggressive deadline we’ve set,” Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports chief executive, said by phone.
Phase one of the approved $32 billion expansion is spread over 56 square kilometres and will include two satellite buildings and be able to accommodate 100 Airbus A380’s at any one time.
The completion of phase one could open the door for Emirates, or the Dubai government, to make a decision on when Dubai’s flagship airline will switch hubs from Dubai International to the new airport.
Emirates, with a fleet of more than 50 Airbus A380’s and a total of 140 on order, is the Middle East’s largest airline. Emirates President Tim Clark has previously said it will be a decision for the Dubai government on when the airline makes the switch.
But the airlines own expansion plans could force a decision to be made sooner rather than later.
“Either Emirates will need to move as soon as the airport opens or other airlines will need to relocate,” Griffiths said.
DWC will have a passenger capacity of 220 million once the second and final phase is completed. Griffiths declined to state a specific date on when phase two work is expected to start.
