Dubai's DWC mega $35 billion airport moving forward with contract awards: Emirates Chairman

Dubai: Significant contracts have been awarded for work on Dubai's future mega-airport at Al Maktoum International (DWC), marking a crucial step forward in the development of the ambitious project, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group confirmed to Gulf News.

He confirmed that work has started since the Dubai government gave the go-ahead to build the $35 billion passenger terminal almost a year ago. The goal, he said, is to make the transition "perfect as the day of the opening.”

Responding to a question about contracts awarded towards the airport building, Sheikh Ahmed said, "Yes, we did. I don't want to go into which contracts at this time, you know. I think it's more for our airport engineering to do that. Maybe they should really give you a brief at some time in the very near future about what exactly they are doing. But work has started."

Describing the DWC project as immensely complex due to its scale, Sheikh Ahmed said the extensive stakeholder engagement underway involving Emirates, flydubai, dnata, regulators, and the more than 100 other airlines operating in Dubai. He stressed the crucial role of the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) programme and that staff training alone for the opening day might require around 12 months.

Sheikh Ahmed provided updates on the planned transition of Emirates and other Dubai carriers to the proposed passenger terminal at DWC during a media interaction on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM).

The passenger terminal, which was green lit by the government of Dubai last year, has a capacity of 260 million annual passengers. The current plan is to open the new terminal in 2033.

Sheikh Ahmed also said that Emirates is actively planning for fleet growth. With the airline operating 261 aircraft and over 300 on firm order, he hinted strongly at potential new deals. He said, “We’re thinking about the Dubai Airshow, and maybe there will be some new announcement.”

Addressing delays to the Boeing 777X programme, which Boeing currently guides for delivery in 2026, Sheikh Ahmed said that Emirates expects its first delivery “anything starting in the second half” of that year.

He confirmed that compensation for delays had been discussed but stressed that “it is not to the extent that I want to see the aircraft flying. I will be able to make more money than the compensation they receive with our dates today.” Emirates was originally scheduled to have nearly 90 aircraft by now.

Emirates is a cornerstone customer for the Boeing 777X program, placing one of the largest orders for the new widebody jet, primarily for the larger 777-9 variant. These aircraft are intended to be key pillars of Emirates’ future long-haul fleet, replacing older aircraft and facilitating network expansion.

However, the programme has faced prolonged delays, including engine development issues, post-pandemic supply chain challenges, and increased regulatory scrutiny. Emirates has since deployed a $5 billion retrofit programme to expand the lifespan of its older aircraft. Sheikh Ahmed said Emirates is continuing its programme to refit 90 per cent of its existing fleet.

“I think what we were lucky with is that we were still using the A380s. That has helped. (Taking) the decision to extend some of the leases has helped. And now we see that the A350 delivery, which really can continue this year till the end of the year,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

In the Airbus A350 programme, deliveries continue, with 12 to 15 expected this year, said Sheikh Ahmed. Regarding the larger A350-1000 variant and engine performance concerns with supplier Rolls-Royce, Sheikh Ahmed stated, “I want a deal which would really be perfect, 100 per cent satisfactory.” He confirmed that no decision has been made on ordering the A350-1000 yet, adding, “We didn’t decide.”