Phase one of Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA) is on track for completion by 2032, officials confirmed at Airport Show 2025 in Dubai — marking a pivotal moment for the UAE's aviation ambitions. When fully operational, AMIA will eventually replace Dubai International Airport (DXB), currently the world's busiest aviation hub.
Airport Show 2025 Announcement
Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, confirmed at Airport Show 2025 that construction is proceeding as planned with contractors already mobilised. A AED 1 billion contract has been awarded to Binladin Contracting Group for the construction of a second runway, significantly boosting the airport's initial capacity.
Al Zaffin said the expansion announcement reflects Dubai's commitment to staying ahead of global aviation demand as DXB approaches its structural passenger ceiling.
What Phase One Will Deliver
When the first phase of Al Maktoum International Airport is complete, it will accommodate up to 150 million passengers per year. The phase includes:
- A new passenger terminal - Four concourses - A second runway - Cutting-edge infrastructure designed to streamline passenger flow
Strategically located near Jebel Ali Port and the Dubai South Free Zone, the airport anchors Dubai's ambition to become the world's foremost multimodal logistics hub.
Full Project Scope
The complete AMIA masterplan covers 70 square kilometres — five times the footprint of DXB — and will ultimately feature:
- More than 400 aircraft gates - AI-driven and robotic operational systems - Biometric identification technology - Automated people movers and transport systems - Underground rail links by 2050
The project is targeting LEED Gold certification, reflecting a strong sustainability mandate built into the design from the ground up. Total investment is estimated at AED 128 billion (approximately $35 billion).
DXB Transition: Smooth and Phased
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, speaking at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), stressed that the shift from DXB to AMIA will be carefully phased to avoid operational disruption. Airlines and services will migrate gradually as AMIA's capacity comes online from 2032.
At full build-out, the airport will serve 260 million passengers and handle 12 million tonnes of cargo annually — making it the highest-capacity airport on the planet.
Economic and Job Impact
The development of Al Maktoum International Airport is expected to generate thousands of jobs across construction, aviation, logistics, hospitality, real estate, and tourism. Dubai South is projected to grow into a city of its own, supporting up to one million residents and workers around the airport precinct.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum approved the full AMIA expansion project in 2024, underscoring the UAE leadership's long-term vision for Dubai as a global aviation capital well into the second half of the 21st century.
