Infrastructure Tenders launched for $35bn Al Maktoum International By Pramod Kumar May 9, 2025, 12:19 PM Wam The first phase of Al Maktoum International Airport includes constructing a passenger terminal and four concourses Dubai airport being expanded Will be world’s largest Tenders to be awarded by end of year Dubai plans to award major infrastructure contracts at Al Maktoum International Airport this year as construction accelerates on what will become the world’s largest airport, a senior government official said. Tenders for an automated people mover system and baggage handling infrastructure have already been floated and are expected to be awarded before the end of 2025, according to Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation. The tender process comes a year after the long-delayed expansion of the airport – also known as Dubai World Central (DWC) – was officially revived by the Dubai government. The development, first opened in 2010, is at the heart of the emirate’s long-term strategy to maintain its status as a global aviation centre. The first phase includes a central passenger terminal and four concourses, designed to lift capacity to 150 million passengers annually. Future tenders will cover foundational infrastructure, district cooling systems and 132kV power substations, Al Zaffin said. DWC will be five times larger than Dubai International Airport (DXB), spanning 70 square kilometres and equipped to handle 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. There will be two passenger terminals, seven concourses, over 400 aircraft gates and an automated transport system. Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the government entity overseeing both DXB and DWC, is also responsible for Dubai South, a 145 square kilometre economic zone focused on aviation, logistics and ecommerce. The future of DXB: airport could be turned into a city Dubai’s airport ambitions ramp up local and global rivalries Groundwork to begin soon on Dubai’s $35bn airport Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market event earlier this month, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said the sheer size of the site will necessitate high-speed transit solutions. “It’s such a large site that the internal travel distance is comparable to going from King’s Cross to Paddington in London – about a 20-minute rail journey,” Griffiths said. “We’ve got to make it fast, efficient and competitive to ensure seamless transfer connectivity.” Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
