Dubai to award Dh55bn in contracts by year-end for Al Maktoum Airport expansion

Dubai plans to award Dh55 billion in contracts by the end of 2026 for the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), the city's second major hub. The expansion, which is proceeding without disruption from regional conflicts, is being managed by Dubai Airports. CEO Paul Griffiths confirmed that Dh13 billion worth of contracts had already been awarded this year for the new DWC terminal, with a further Dh55 billion set to be awarded by the end of 2026.

The construction team has already committed 10 million work hours, with 17,000 piles in place and 45 million cubic meters of earth moved. Approximately 9,000 workers are on site, with numbers expected to peak at 120,000. The first phase of the project, targeted for completion in 2032, will allow the new terminal to handle 150 million passengers annually, while the entire expansion is expected to reach a capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo per year.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is nearing its current capacity limit, necessitating the construction of one of the world's largest airports to accommodate growing passenger volumes. Griffiths emphasized the ambitious nature of the project and Dubai's commitment to it, stating that the city cannot allow its airport infrastructure to hinder future growth.

The expansion aligns with the availability of new narrow-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A321 XLR, which offer economic performance comparable to wide-body jets without the commercial risks associated with higher capacity. Griffiths believes the timing of the DWC project is ideal, as these aircraft will enable DWC to serve 600 cities directly upon completion, many of which lack sufficient traffic to support wide-body service.

Despite the ongoing six-month conflict, Dubai Airports continues to invest in both DWC and DXB, with the CEO noting that trading numbers remain positive and cash remittances to the government are strong. Investment in Dubai Airports includes a newly refurbished terminal concourse, a T-shaped widened concourse, and a new retail area.