Dubai International Airport (DXB) is slated for a major upgrade aimed at transforming it into a state-of-the-art ‘smart’ airport, according to Dubai Airports’ CEO Paul Griffiths. The projected cost of this transformation is estimated to be between Dhs6 billion and Dhs10 billion.
In a recent interview with Gulf News, Griffiths outlined a 5- to 7-year plan for the expansion, which is designed to enhance the overall airport experience. Upgrades include establishing new commercial and restaurant partnerships, adding more lounges and relaxation areas, creating additional circulation space, and increasing the number of check-in counters.
The overhaul is part of a broader strategy to cement DXB’s position as the world’s busiest international airport. Future tech-savvy advancements may involve new security scanners that do away with the need to remove liquids during the security check.
“The immediate goal is to invest significant amounts in expanding the operation at Dubai International Airport,” said Griffiths.
The expansion will position DXB to reach its maximum capacity over the next 10 to 15 years, after which operations will gradually transition to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Earlier this year, plans were revealed for DWC to evolve into the world’s largest airport by 2050, with an anticipated annual capacity of more than 260 million passengers.
Phase 1 of the DWC expansion is set to be completed by 2030 and will include two additional runways, Concourse 1, and the West Terminal building. It is expected to support an annual capacity of 130 million passengers.
Griffiths stated that once DXB reaches full capacity, and DWC is operating at its current capacity of 32 million annual passengers, a long-term outlook for the new airport will be considered by the mid-2030s.