Dubai has experienced enormous growth, both economically and physically, in recent decades. The UAE’s most populous city has seen a correspondingly fast expansion in terms of its primary airport. Dubai International (DXB) is home to Emirates, which has become an industry heavyweight. Today, its second airport, Al Maktoum International, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC), is also growing quickly. But what is the reason for this expansion?
Big plans
Dubai International has grown to become an industry-leading intercontinental mega-hub. As such, you’d be forgiven for being unaware of Dubai World Central and its lofty future ambitions. However, DWC is set to become the centerpiece of an exciting urban development, known as Dubai South, before the decade is over.
Situated just under 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Dubai itself, Dubai South will be a residential, commercial, and logistics complex that forms a free economic zone. This will be supported by the airport at its heart, none other than Dubai World Central.
While the airport is already operational, its full-scale opening is not set to take place until 2027. It is planned to be able to process in the region of 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. This traffic will be supplemented by a strong passenger flow, estimated to be between 160 and 260 million travelers a year.
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With a planned surface area of over 280 square kilometers (108 square miles), DWC is set to become the world’s largest airport by physical size. This enormous area is set to house as many as five 4,500-meter long parallel runways, on which up to four parallel landings will be possible. The airport does not intend to replace the existing Dubai International….