Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, the group responsible for the planning and development of airports in Dubai, is currently working on a massive expansion project at the Al Maktoum International Airport. Started in 2014, the $32.67 billion US dollar expansion will turn the airport into the world’s biggest and busiest when completed. The expansion is needed to relieve the pressure at Dubai International Airport, which is now operating near its maximum capacity. There is no available room for growth at Dubai International Airport, so a new solution is required.
The first phase of the expansion, which was started in early 2017, is expected to be completed by the middle of 2018. The initial part of phase one includes the construction of new terminal buildings and concourses, and expansion of the existing facilities at the airport. This will be followed by construction of 2 new parallel runways, and six new train tracks connecting the terminal buildings and concourses. The new tracks will consist of two each for departures, arrivals, and transfers, with a separate station for each function.
The last phase of the expansion will add two more new runways, increasing the grand total to five. This phase will also include the construction another new terminal facility on the east side of the airport. The new terminal facility will include two separate concourses. Six additional train tracks with seven stations will connect the new terminal to the existing airport facilities. The expansion project was designed by Leslie Jones Architecture, and is scheduled to be completed by 2025.
