Dubai Plans to Open New Mega-Airport by 2030 to Replace DXB

Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports, disclosed plans to replace the world's busiest airport, Dubai International (DXB), with an even larger facility due to soaring passenger demands. Anticipating a surge in travelers in Dubai and the UAE, Griffiths highlighted the need for a new airport by the 2030s once DXB reaches its maximum capacity of around 120 million passengers annually.

Projections indicated DXB's annual passenger traffic to hit 86.8 million in 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic figures from 2019. While DXB currently handles 100 million passengers yearly, innovative technologies and optimizations could stretch its capacity to the projected maximum.

Griffiths emphasized the forthcoming mega-airport's necessity and outlined a vision for its design enhancements, indicating a focus on expansion and efficiency. Without exposing specific financial or capacity details, he emphasized a modular design approach that aims to discard conventional terminal structures, preparing for a more adaptable and customer-friendly airport experience.

With a forward-thinking outlook extending well into the 2050s, Griffiths emphasized the need for Al Maktoum International to surpass DXB's capacity and quality standards. Emphasizing a swift recovery from the pandemic's impact on travel, he underscored the anticipated growth and the need for a transformative approach to airport operations.