Dubai is looking to expand its air travel infrastructure with plans to replace the world’s busiest airport with a larger one as passenger traffic continues to recover from the pandemic. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths announced at the Dubai Airshow in the UAE that designs are being drawn up for the Al Maktoum International Airport, which is expected to be built on the outskirts of the city and will eventually replace Dubai International Airport in the 2030s.
Griffiths cited the need for a new airport once passenger numbers reach around 120 million per year, which he expects to happen in the 2030s. New figures forecasted 86.9 million passengers at Dubai International this year, exceeding pre-pandemic traffic and signaling a strong recovery.
Despite geopolitical tensions, including the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Griffiths reported little impact on passenger numbers. He also emphasized the need for a larger and more modern airport, stating that the Al Maktoum International Airport will be designed on a modular basis to allow for easy expansion over time.
The focus is on creating an “airport of the future” that will change the business model for airports and improve the overall customer experience, Griffiths said. The project is expected to extend well into the 2050s, demonstrating Dubai’s long-term approach to air travel infrastructure.
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