Dubai's new airport project to create jobs, housing for 1 million people; Phase 1 to open by 2032

Dubai: The first phase of developing the proposed passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central, is “progressing well”, according to a top official with the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP).

Khalifa Al Zaffin, the Executive Chairman of DAEP and the executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, told media on the sidelines of Dubai Airport Show that contracts surpassing Dh1 billion have been awarded towards the construction of Phase 1 of the airport in Dubai South, including constructing a second runway. DAEP has been entrusted with the design and execution of this transformative airport programme.

According to Al Zaffin, economically, the project is expected to support up to 1 million people through employment and housing, which is integral to the development of Dubai South - a master-planned city and logistics hub where the new airport will be based.

“The project will directly contribute to Dubai’s economic diversification and resilience. It will create thousands of employment opportunities in key sectors, including construction, aviation, logistics, real estate, tourism and cargo,” said Al Zaffin.

Moreover, the location of Al Maktoum International (DWC) within Dubai South will also “stimulate growth in surrounding areas, which will see increased demand for hotels, hospitality services, and real estate developments, contributing to the city’s real estate market’s expansion. 

Commenting on contracts awarded, Al Zaffin said, “Several major packages required for the first phase of the project — including the Automated People Mover (APM) and the Baggage Handling System (BHS) — are currently in the tendering stage, with contracts expected to be awarded later this year.”

“Additionally, the terminal substructure, early 132kV substations, and district cooling plants are the next packages to be tendered this year, laying the foundation for the subsequent delivery phases,” he added. 

Al Zaffin also said that negotiations are underway with contractors. "There will be so many contracts...The (contract) for the second runway has been awarded, and we are talking about something like a billion for a runway."

He added. "We are going through all the enabling works (which has been awarded a Dh75 million contract), infrastructure and structural work, and then we are going with super structure," he said.

Al Zaffin confirmed that the project’s first phase could reach completion by 2032, with full completion slated for the early 2030s.

He said, “The design is being done, and we have already started work on the ground.” The airport will be a technological marvel, where we are trying to make (the passenger journey) smooth, with a lot of passenger delight.”

Upon completing phase 1, Al Zaffin said the terminal’s capacity will increase to approximately 150 million passengers annually.

The ultimate goal is to reach a target capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 tonnes of cargo per year.

“If you look at where we are now, we have one of the biggest airlines in the world (Emirates). Dubai International Airport (DXB) is reaching capacity. We are growing (under) a lot of pressure. Because of (these) limitations, we cannot grow exponentially,” said the DAEP chief.

He explained, “A part of what we do is a lot of studies of passenger growth in the area (DXB). We know by 2032, we will be serving 150 million passengers and designing accordingly.

Al Zaffin also confirmed that several other phases will follow Phase 1.