$35bn+ Al-Maktoum international airport in Dubai is advancing as contractors have submitted superstructure bids. Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) received proposals on 31 March from contractors for three packages for first phase of expansion. The selected contractor will undertake superstructure works on three packages: These include the West Terminal and concourse one and Concourse two.

It also include Concourse three as construction of these packages commenced in November last year. According to an official description on DAEP’s website, the expanded airport’s West Terminal will be a seven-level, 800,000-square-metre facility. Furthermore, it will have an annual capacity of 45 million passengers. It will be the second of three terminals at Al-Maktoum International airport.

Moreover, it will be linked to the airside by a 14-station automated people-mover (APM) system. The system will run under the apron of the entire airfield and the airport’s terminals. It will also consist of several tracks, taking passengers from the terminals to the concourses.

Scope of Implementation on the Al-Maktoum International Airport Superstructure Bids

Construction of the Al Maktoum International Airport entails more than the superstructure contract. The airport’s construction is planned to be undertaken in three phases. It will cover an area of 70 square kilometres (sq km) south of Dubai. Moreover, it will have five parallel runways, five terminal buildings and 400 aircraft gates. It is expected to times the size of the existing Dubai International airport.

Once complete, it will have the world’s largest passenger-handling capacity of 260 million passengers a year. For cargo, it will have the capacity to handle 12 million tonnes a year. The implementation of the first phase has already begun. In May last year, DAEP awarded a $272m deal to UAE firm Binladin Contracting Group to construct the second runway at the airport. The enabling works on the terminal are also ongoing and are being undertaken by Abu Dhabi-based Tristar E&C.

Completion on the first phase is expected by 2032. The government approved the updated designs and timelines for its largest construction project in April 2024. In a statement, the authorities said the plan is for all operations from Dubai International airport to be transferred to Al-Maktoum International within 10 years.

Project Overview

• Project Name: Al Maktoum International Airport Expansion
• Project Type: Airport megaproject
• Estimated Cost: $35bn+
• Purpose: Passenger and cargo hub expansion

Key Stakeholders

• Client: Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects
• Contractors (Bidding): Multiple (superstructure packages)
• Awarded Contractor: Binladin Contracting Group
• Enabling Works: Tristar E&C

Location

• Site: Dubai South
• City: Dubai
• Country: United Arab Emirates
• Area: ~70 sq km

Scope

• Three-phase airport development
• Five runways, five terminals
• ~400 aircraft gates
• APM system (14 stations)
• West Terminal: 800,000 sqm

Capacity

• Passengers: 260 million/year (ultimate)
• Cargo: 12 million tonnes/year
• West Terminal: 45 million/year

Funding / Delivery Model

• Government-funded project
• Multi-package contracting strategy
• Phased delivery approach

Status

• Stage: Under construction
• Update: Superstructure bids submitted
• Progress: Runway and enabling works ongoing
• Phase 1 Completion: ~2032

Key Risks & Challenges

• Complex multi-phase execution
• Contractor coordination
• Schedule management
• Scale-related cost risks

Strategic Significance

• Largest airport by capacity globally
• Replaces Dubai International operations
• Strengthens Dubai as aviation hub
• Supports long-term economic growth