As reported by MEED, a media publishing company focused on economic and business news in the Middle East, Dubai officials are considering restarting Dubai’s biggest construction project — the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC). The airport was originally opened back in June 2010 for cargo operations, while passenger flights began in October 2013. The outlook on expansion was boosted by a rebound in traffic numbers, as Dubai International Airport recorded 66.1 million passengers last year (2022).

The AED 120 billion ( USD 33 billion) development is planned to become the biggest airport worldwide by 2050, with a capacity of handling up to a whopping 255 million passengers per year. The initial phase of the sensational project, with the estimated completion date scheduled for 2030, will increase the capacity of Dubai World Central up to 130 million passengers.

According to the MEED report, prospective stakeholders have been recommended to get ready for the resumption of the mega-project. The expansion is set to fuel the economy of Dubai, which hasn’t had quite the same level of construction activity as before. It is worth noting that the delay of expansion was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dubai World Central will house over 18 million sq. ft. of connected basement footprint with baggage handling systems, people-mover tunnels, ground services, road networks and other facilities.