Dubai is building a $35,000,000,000 airport that will be the largest in the world and boast 400 gates
Published on Jun 10, 2026 at 12:04 AM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Jun 10, 2026 at 12:04 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
Dubai has never been afraid to think big, but its latest $35,000,000,000 airport project is on a completely different scale.
The city is building a new $35 billion airport that is set to become the largest in the world once completed.
The enormous aviation hub will feature 400 aircraft gates, five parallel runways, and enough capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers every year.
And the project is so ambitious that it will eventually replace Dubai’s current main aviation hub altogether.
Dubai is building the largest airport in the world
The huge development is centered around Al Maktoum International Airport, located more than 20 miles southwest of central Dubai.
While the airport already exists and currently handles cargo and some passenger traffic, plans are underway to transform it into something far larger and more luxurious than anything the aviation industry has seen before.
Once complete, it will cover around 70 square kilometers and be more than five times the size of the current one.
It will feature 400 aircraft gates, five parallel runways, and enough capacity to serve up to 260 million passengers every year.
To put that figure into perspective, the existing international one handled a record 95.2 million passengers in 2025, making it the world’s busiest airport for international travel.
The new project has been given a budget of AED128 billion, which works out at roughly $35 billion, making it one of the most expensive aviation projects ever announced.
The futuristic build could reshape the country forever
The plans go far beyond simply building a larger terminal.
The country’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has described the development as an entire ‘airport city’ that will support housing and employment for up to one million people.
The facility is expected to become the future home of Emirates and Flydubai, with operations gradually moving away from the current airport over the coming decade.
Designs released so far show sweeping white roof structures, huge passenger halls, palm-filled public spaces, hotels, shopping areas, and dedicated facilities for executive and royal aircraft.
The first phase of the project is expected to accommodate around 150 million passengers annually, with the full vision eventually pushing capacity to 260 million passengers per year.
If everything goes to plan, Dubai’s new mega-airport won’t just be the biggest on Earth.
It could completely redefine what an airport can be, turning a transport hub into an entire city built around global travel.
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
