Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport remains on track to begin operations in 2032, with authorities confirming significant progress across key construction packages and preparations underway to award more than AED55 billion ($15 billion) in additional contracts as the project enters a major new phase.

Contracts worth over AED13 billion ($3.5 billion) are currently under execution across the airport development, which is expected to become the world’s largest aviation hub upon completion. The project has already achieved major milestones, including enabling works, runway infrastructure, and the initial structural foundations for passenger terminals and gates.

HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, said the project reflects Dubai’s vision of building advanced infrastructure capable of supporting sustainable economic growth, strengthening global connectivity, and enhancing the emirate’s long-term competitiveness.

He described the airport as a strategic investment in Dubai’s future and a key component of the emirate’s broader development agenda. Sheikh Hamdan said the project will help expand aviation capacity, improve the efficiency of Dubai’s transport and logistics ecosystem, attract investment, and create long-term economic opportunities in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, and Chairman of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, said the development continues to advance steadily as it transitions into large-scale construction.

“Al Maktoum International Airport is one of the most significant strategic projects shaping Dubai’s economic future,” he said. “The project’s transition into a large-scale construction phase, with contracts valued at AED13 billion currently under execution and preparations underway to award strategic projects worth more than AED55 billion during the next phase, reflects the substantial progress achieved and the strong momentum driving the development.”

He added that the airport will play a key role in advancing D33’s objectives while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for trade, tourism, logistics, and international connectivity.

Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director-General of Dubai Finance, said the project, described by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as “our new global airport,” reflects Dubai’s long-term commitment to investing in high-quality infrastructure while strengthening financial sustainability and economic growth.

According to Al Saleh, the development is expected to generate long-term value through sovereign assets, attract regional and international investment, and further reinforce confidence in Dubai’s economic resilience and ability to adapt to global shifts.

Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, described the airport as a transformative project that will serve as the cornerstone of Dubai’s aviation future. He said work is continuing on a fully integrated operating model designed to accommodate future growth in passenger and cargo traffic while enhancing efficiency, innovation, and operational readiness.

He added that the airport is being developed as a technology-driven platform featuring integrated automation, operational intelligence, and seamless connectivity across airport systems and transport networks. Authorities are also working on a phased transition of operations from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport while maintaining Dubai’s service standards.

Engineer Suzanne Al Anani, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, said construction activity has accelerated significantly over the past 15 months. Ongoing works include the installation of more than 17,000 concrete piles and excavation exceeding 45 million cubic metres, alongside completion of the second runway in preparation for rehabilitation works on the existing runway.

The project’s core infrastructure package includes approximately 4.5 million cubic metres of concrete works, while total work hours have exceeded 10 million during the past 15 months. The on-site workforce currently stands at around 9,000 people and is expected to increase to approximately 120,000 during peak construction.

Al Anani said the next stage of development will include the award of several major packages by year-end with a combined value exceeding AED55 billion. These include substructure works for the Western Passenger Terminal, construction of the fourth aircraft concourse, the Automated People Mover (APM) system, and the Baggage Handling System (BHS), as well as superstructure works for the Western Passenger Terminal and the first three aircraft concourses.

The upcoming packages also include long-span structural frameworks covering approximately 1.5 million square metres, infrastructure works for the southern airfield area, power generation facilities, and district cooling plants supporting the construction programme. Façade and roofing packages are also expected to be awarded later this year.

Once fully completed, Al Maktoum International Airport is expected to have an annual capacity exceeding 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo, making it the world’s largest aviation hub. The airport will feature five independently operating parallel runways, two passenger terminals, seven concourses, and more than 430 aircraft stands.

The development will also incorporate an integrated Automated People Mover system and multimodal connectivity linking air, rail, and road transport networks, strengthening Dubai’s role as a global centre for trade, tourism, logistics, and international connectivity.

Alongside the Al Maktoum expansion, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects is continuing a broader programme to modernise aviation infrastructure across Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central. The programme includes terminal expansions, boarding facilities, baggage handling upgrades, road network improvements, and airfield enhancements aimed at boosting operational efficiency and passenger experience.

At Dubai World Central, infrastructure upgrades are being implemented to support flydubai’s fleet expansion plans, including the introduction of wide-body Boeing 787 aircraft. At Dubai International Airport, ongoing projects include improvements to the Terminal 3 access bridge, upgrades to access roads serving Terminals 1 and 3, airfield enhancement works, and the expansion of remote boarding and baggage handling facilities.

A total of AED16 billion has been allocated to these projects, with contracts worth more than AED7.5 billion already awarded, underscoring Dubai’s continued investment in aviation infrastructure as it prepares for future growth.