Emirates to invest $10-12 billion in Dubai's new DWC airport: Sheikh Ahmed

Dubai: Emirates plans to invest a minimum of $10 to $12 billion in developing its dedicated infrastructure at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, the airline’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, told Gulf News.

He stated that these funds will be allocated for building Emirates’ facilities within the new passenger terminal that is currently under construction.

Sheikh Ahmed comments come after Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport’s expansion project received a major international boost at Dubai Airshow 2025 with the UK Export Finance (UKEF) issuing a $3.5 billion Expression of Interest letter to support British business’ participation in the multi-billion-dollar project.

The government of Dubai has ear marked a whopping $35 billion to develop the new passenger terminal, that can serve 150 million passengers annually by the early 2030s , with a longer term capacity of 260 million passengers.

Airline needs its own infrastructure

However, Sheikh Ahmed said that amount does not include Emirates’ investments for its own infrastructure, such as catering facilities or hangars, for example.

“We talk about Al Maktoum International. It is much more than that. what we have announced before $35 billion. We are not talking about other infrastructure, which for example, Emirates will do (need)… I mean on top of that. We need catering facility, hangars,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

He said, “Emirates will easily spend about $10 to $12 billion on top of that ($35 billion) and many other stakeholders in the project. So that drop, will be a drop in the ocean.”

Sheikh Ahmed also said he is happy to see other governments pushing for their companies to be a part of Dubai’s success.

On the subject of financing the exponential growth, Sheikh Ahmed said "I think we have a very good cash flow. I am very confident that we will do it with no issues."