{"slug": "first-look-at-worlds-largest-airport-opening-in-dubai-with-a-ps26-billion-price", "title": "First look at world’s largest airport opening in Dubai with a £26 billion price tag", "summary": "Dubai is building Al Maktoum International Airport, set to become the world's largest aviation hub with a capacity of 260 million passengers annually, at a cost of £26 billion. The airport, scheduled to open in 2032, will feature five runways, advanced AI-powered security, and extensive green spaces, positioning Dubai as a global travel leader.", "body_md": "If you thought [Dubai](https://metro.co.uk/tag/dubai/) Airport was bougie enough, wait until you see the emirate’s plans for the ‘world’s largest airport.’\n\nBy 2032, Dubai aims to unveil Al Maktoum International Airport, the world’s largest aviation hub with an annual capacity of 260 million passengers.\n\nTwo terminals, five parallel runways, and over 430 plane stands.\n\nThe 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.\n\nHere’s a sneak peek, including snaps of what the ‘futuristic’ curved roof will look like, alongside the extensive indoor green spaces.\n\n### Ask Metro\n\n*Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications.*\n\n## Best of Metro Deals\n\nGet exclusive discounts with [Metro Deals](https://www.metro-deals.co.uk/deals/london) – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher\n\n**Bannatyne Spa**: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco — save up to 57% off.\n\n**Mystery Escape**: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as £92pp — save on worldwide holiday packages.\n\n**Beach Retreat (Lanzarote)**: 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights — save up to 58%.\n\nIt’s set to be so fancy, you won’t want to board your flight.\n\n## A glimpse into the Al Maktoum International Airport\n\nSuch a big operation requires a suitably large budget.\n\nThe British Aviation Group reported that the airport is set to cost around £26 billion ($35 billion) — and images show what these billions will buy.\n\nFor 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.\n\nAlongside 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.\n\nThe 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](https://metro.co.uk/tag/economy/).\n\nSnaps also show the ‘futuristic’ airport will feature open green spaces, palm trees, floating parks and a curved white roof.\n\nIn the central piazza of the concourse, where the APM drops off passengers, there will be shops, restaurants, entertainment and relaxation spaces to boot.\n\nAdvanced biometric scanning, AI-powered security, and off-site baggage drop will create a seamless, queue-free process.\n\nAirlines including [Emirates](https://metro.co.uk/tag/emirates/) and Flydubai are expected to use Al Maktoum International Airport as a major hub once the new terminals are ready.\n\nOther 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.\n\nFinally, car parking will facilitate thousands of vehicles.\n\n## What has Dubai said about the airport?\n\nOn June 15, the Dubai Government confirmed that work on the airport was well underway.\n\nThis included ‘enabling works, runway infrastructure, and the initial structural foundations for passenger terminals and gates.’\n\nA spokesperson said that the project ‘remains on course to commence operations in 2032, in accordance with its long-term master plan.’\n\nMeanwhile, Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, said the airport will allow Dubai to serve more travellers over the coming decade.\n\n‘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.\n\nHe 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.’\n\nUpon 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.’\n\nThis is the 10-year plan launched in 2023 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister of the UAE.\n\nBy 2033, it aims to double Dubai’s economy and establish it among the top three global cities for business, [tourism](https://metro.co.uk/tag/tourism/), and investment.\n\nHis Highness also said the airport will strengthen Dubai’s position as a ‘leading global hub for trade, tourism, logistics, and international connectivity.\n\n‘The project will further enhance the emirate’s future readiness and reinforce the aviation sector’s contribution to [sustainable](https://metro.co.uk/tag/sustainability/) economic growth for decades to come.’\n\n## What about the conflict in the Middle East?\n\nDubai’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](https://metro.co.uk/tag/europe-travel/) and Asia.\n\nIt held the status of the second busiest airport in the world in 2025, with 95.2 million passengers passing through.\n\nBut 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.\n\nAfter 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.\n\nOn June 18, the UK [Foreign Office](https://metro.co.uk/tag/foreign-and-commonwealth-office/) [lifted its warning against all but essential travel to the UAE](https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/19/safe-travel-dubai-right-now-fcdo-changes-advice-28846881/).\n\nHowever, the government continues to advise travellers to exercise caution.\n\n#### Our Top Shopping Picks\n\nAmazon Prime Day LIVE – final day rush for Dyson, Samsung and Oral-B deals\n\nA shopping editor’s picks – the best Amazon Prime Day deals right now\n\nHeatwave incoming! This bladeless tower fan is now £84 on Amazon\n\nThis Philips airfryer with two drawers is now half price on Amazon\n\nBest Amazon Prime Day 2026 UK deals for PS5, Xbox, and Switch consoles and games\n\nMORE: [Hammersmith Bridge won’t reopen to cars for the foreseeable future](https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/30/londons-hammersmith-bridge-wont-reopen-cars-foreseeable-future-28985969/?ico=more_text_links)\n\nMORE: [UK travel company collapses after 24 years — all bookings cancelled from September 1](https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/30/uk-travel-company-collapses-24-years-bookings-cancelled-september-1-28981077/?ico=more_text_links)\n\nMORE: [JetBlue plane collides with drone while landing in New York](https://metro.co.uk/2026/06/30/jetblue-plane-collides-drone-landing-new-york-28980191/?ico=more_text_links)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/first-look-at-worlds-largest-airport-opening-in-dubai-with-a-ps26-billion-price", "canonical_source": "https://metro.co.uk/2026/07/01/first-look-worlds-largest-airport-a-35-billion-price-tag-28981955/", "published_at": "2026-07-01 08:06:21+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-07-01 08:22:03.708700+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-products", "ai-infrastructure"], "entities": ["Dubai", "Al Maktoum International Airport", "Emirates", "Flydubai", "Dubai Aviation City Corporation", "Khalifa Al Zaffin", "British Aviation Group", "Etihad Rail"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/first-look-at-worlds-largest-airport-opening-in-dubai-with-a-ps26-billion-price", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/first-look-at-worlds-largest-airport-opening-in-dubai-with-a-ps26-billion-price.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/first-look-at-worlds-largest-airport-opening-in-dubai-with-a-ps26-billion-price.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/first-look-at-worlds-largest-airport-opening-in-dubai-with-a-ps26-billion-price.jsonld"}}