Dubai has moved the bid deadline for the first phase of the expansion of the world’s largest Al-Maktoum international airport. Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) has allowed contractors until 15 September to submit bids for five packages. The five packages cover substructure works involved in the expansion projects. The tender was issued in mid-June and previous submission deadline was 1 September. The monumental project has prospective bidders such as local-based Al-Naboodah Construction and Alec interested. Moreover, international-based companies such as Aviation Industry Corporation of China and Belgium-headquarted Besix also in the bid. China Harbour Engineering Company, China National Aero-Technology International Engineering Corporation and Italy’s Webuild are in the bid. According to an official description on DAEP’s website, the expanded airport’s West Terminal will be a seven-level. It will also include 800,000-square-metre facility with an annual capacity of 45 million passengers.
Scope of Implementation on the Al-Maktoum International Airport
Regarding the scope of implementation, the second of three terminals at Al-Maktoum International airport will link the airside with a 14-station automated people-mover (APM) system. Last month, DAEP had received bids from firms to build the APM at Al-Maktoum airport. The system will run under the apron of the entire airfield and the airport’s terminals. Moreover, it will consist of several tracks, taking passengers from the terminals to the concourses. Four underground stations will be built as part of the first phase. The overall plan includes 14 stations across the airport. The airport’s construction is planned to be undertaken in three phases.
The airport will cover an area of 70 square kilometres (sq km) south of Dubai. Furthermore, it will have five parallel runways, five terminal buildings and 400 aircraft gates. It will be five times the size of the existing Dubai International airport and 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 expansion of Al-Maktoum International, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC), is a long-standing project. It was officially launched in 2014, with a different design from the one approved in April 2024. At that time, it involved building the biggest airport in the world by 2050, with the capacity to handle 255 million passengers a year. The world’s largest airport is one that is hotly contested with Saudi Arabia also in aiming to clinch the right.
August 1, 2025: Dubai has recently topped the headlines following their recent approval of the project that aims to position Al Maktoum International Airport as the largest in the world. Just recently, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum reviewed the strategic plan that was brought forward by the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects and gave approval for the designs for the upcoming new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, which is set to become World’s Largest Airport upon completion and when it becomes operational.
Capacity of the World’s Largest Airport Project
The upcoming airport will have a passenger capacity of 260 million annually. The approval of the airport project came when Sheikh Mohammed paid a visit to the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects in the company of the Crown Prince of Dubai who also hold the position of Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the finance ministry.
Construction Cost of the Project
“Today, we have made approval for the design of the upcoming airport terminal at the Al Maktoum International Airport, and commencing the construction works at a cost of Dh128 billion ($35 billion) which is part of the strategy of Dubai Aviation Corporation.”
The upcoming airport project will be five times the size of Dubai International Airport and all the activities and operations will be transferred to this upcoming mega airports in the future years. The airport will have the capacity to accommodate up to 400 aircraft gates and will have up to five parallel runways. Additionally, cutting edge technologies will be incorporated in the aviation sector for the very first time in history.
Timelines to Note Regarding the Project
Sheikh Mohammed did a review on the masterplan of this upcoming mega airport project. Upon completion of this project, the airport will become world’s largest airport occupying an area of up to 70 square kilometers. This upcoming mega airport project is foreseen to have an optimum capacity that surpasses 260 million passengers annually and also 12 million tonnes of freight cargo every year.
The first of this upcoming mega airport project will be completed within a period of ten years with a capacity that is able to accommodate a passenger capacity of 150 million.. “With the consistent support we have gotten from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and in maintaining his vision for the Dubai Aviation Industry,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed commented during the occasion.
Economic Importance of the Airport Project to Dubai
The development of this mega airport project will be a crucial part of the economy of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates in general. It is also set to become a key contributor to the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). Moreover, the world’s largest airport project is set to generate an approximated both workforce and residential requirement for more than 1 million people who will be residing and also working in Dubai South which is the aerotropolis of the region and has been under development and operation since the year 2007.
Dubai is spearheading once more with its determination of maintaining its leading role in aviation sector in the world. The development of this airport project is set to represent a totally brand new approach to the global concepts of airports.
Also read: UK-based Mace Wins The Delivery Partner Role on the World’s Largest Airport Project
