First look at world’s largest airport opening in Dubai with a £26 billion price tag

Some 260 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport (Picture: Government of Dubai)

If you thought Dubai Airport was bougie enough, wait until you see the emirate’s plans for the ‘world’s largest airport.’

By 2032, Dubai aims to unveil Al Maktoum International Airport, the world’s largest aviation hub with an annual capacity of 260 million passengers.

Two terminals, five parallel runways, and over 430 plane stands.

The Dubai Government said that work on the first phase of the new airport is proceeding in line with timelines for the project, remaining on course to start running flights in six years time.

Here’s a sneak peek, including snaps of what the ‘futuristic’ curved roof will look like, alongside the extensive indoor green spaces.

It’s set to be so fancy, you won’t want to board your flight.

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A glimpse into the Al Maktoum International Airport

Such a big operation requires a suitably large budget.

The British Aviation Group reported that the airport is set to cost around £26 billion ($35 billion) — and images show what these billions will buy.

For scale, each concourse will equal the length of the three concourses at DXB. The Dubai Government has said that each of the four concourses will be a megastructure, with a built-up area of 2.3 million square metres stretched across 2.7 kilometres.

The ‘futuristic’ airport will have plenty of indoor green space (Picture: Government of Dubai)

Alongside the terminals, runways, and plane stands, the airport also plans to house an internal 14-station railway service called the Automated People Mover (APM) to connect passengers to gates and transport links.

The newest phase of work is said to be the West Terminal Building, an area with dedicated halls for first class and business class, as well as economy.

Snaps also show the ‘futuristic’ airport will feature open green spaces, palm trees, floating parks and a curved white roof.

In the central piazza of the concourse, where the APM drops off passengers, there will be shops, restaurants, entertainment and relaxation spaces to boot.

The world’s largest airport is just around the corner (Picture: Dubai Media Office)

Advanced biometric scanning, AI-powered security, and off-site baggage drop will create a seamless, queue-free process.

Airlines including Emirates and Flydubai are expected to use Al Maktoum International Airport as a major hub once the new terminals are ready.

Other non-aircraft transport links include dedicated new lines on Dubai Metro and Etihad Rail to connect the airport to the rest of Dubai and the UAE.

Finally, car parking will facilitate thousands of vehicles.

What has Dubai said about the airport?

On June 15, the Dubai Government confirmed that work on the airport was well underway.

This included ‘enabling works, runway infrastructure, and the initial structural foundations for passenger terminals and gates.’

A spokesperson said that the project ‘remains on course to commence operations in 2032, in accordance with its long-term master plan.’

Meanwhile, Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, said the airport will allow Dubai to serve more travellers over the coming decade.

‘Al Maktoum International Airport is far more than an expansion of aviation infrastructure; it is a fully integrated global platform that will redefine the future of travel and logistics,’ he explained.

He said the airport is being designed to ‘deliver a seamless, intelligent, and customer-centric experience powered by advanced technologies, integrated automation, operational intelligence, and seamless connectivity across airport systems and transport networks.’

Upon completion, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said that the airport will ‘serve as a key pillar in advancing the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.’

The existing Dubai International Airport is already pretty posh (Picture: Getty Images)

This is the 10-year plan launched in 2023 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE.

By 2033, it aims to double Dubai’s economy and establish it among the top three global cities for business, tourism, and investment.

His Highness also said the airport will strengthen Dubai’s position as a ‘leading global hub for trade, tourism, logistics, and international connectivity.

‘The project will further enhance the emirate’s future readiness and reinforce the aviation sector’s contribution to sustainable economic growth for decades to come.’

What about the conflict in the Middle East?

Dubai’s current main airport, Dubai International (DXB) is one of the most important hubs for people travelling to the emirate and for stopovers between Europe and Asia.

It held the status of the second busiest airport in the world in 2025, with 95.2 million passengers passing through.

But after the US and Israel went to war with Iran, passenger numbers plummeted to just 2.5 million in March, down 65.7% year on year.

Dubai was hit by debris from a fallen Iranian missile (Picture: Getty Images)

After the UAE lifted restrictions on airspace, Dubai Airport said it had entered a recovery phase by increasing daily flights and enabling airlines to restore schedules as much as neighbouring airspaces allow.

On June 18, the UK Foreign Office lifted its warning against all but essential travel to the UAE.

However, the government continues to advise travellers to exercise caution.

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