A Closer Look: Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport megaproject announcement

In A Closer Look, The National provides an in-depth take on one of the main stories of the week
At the weekend, it was announced that Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport will be undergoing an expansion so huge that it will become the largest operating airline hub in the world.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, posted on X to say that once complete, Al Maktoum International Airport will have “the world’s largest capacity”, serving up to 260 million passengers a year.
The airport, spread across 70 square kilometres, will feature 400 aircraft gates, five parallel runways and new aviation technology. It will have the capacity to handle 12 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Here, host Sarah Forster speaks to The National’s aviation correspondent Deena Kamel to find out how the new airport will compare to others in the region and what will happen to Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Dubai starts constructing new $35bn passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport
Dubai South set to boom as Al Maktoum International Airport plan transforms city
The Dubai government has approved designs for a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport and has started construction at a cost of Dh128 billion. Photo: Dubai government via AP