en.Wedoany.com Reported - The expansion plan for Dubai World Central (DWC) has been approved. This hub, designed around the full-process operation of a single airline's superjumbo aircraft, will receive a $34.85 billion investment, potentially reshaping the global transit network. The project aims to break the capacity bottleneck of Dubai International Airport (DXB), which, despite being the world's busiest international hub, cannot expand further due to its compact geographical footprint.
The Dubai government has approved a $34.85 billion (128 billion UAE dirhams) investment for the expansion of the passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport. Covering 36,000 acres (145.7 square kilometers), the airport plans five parallel runways, with an ultimate passenger capacity of 260 million passengers per year and a cargo network capable of handling 12 million tons of cargo annually.
A high-speed automated people mover system will connect 14 strategic stations, transporting passengers between the central terminal and boarding areas. The first phase is targeted for completion in 2032, providing a capacity of 150 million passengers per year.
To safely handle the largest commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A380, the airport design adopts the highest regulatory category, Code F, which specifies runway, taxiway, and parking stand spacing. The A380 has a wingspan of 262 feet (80 meters) and a total length of 241 feet (73 meters), requiring significant physical clearances. Dubai World Central will build 400 contact parking stands meeting Code F specifications, eliminating operational constraints.
Emirates has initiated plans to relocate its entire fleet to Dubai World Central, breaking ground on a new $5.1 billion (18.7 billion UAE dirhams) engineering facility in Dubai South. This maintenance base will be specifically tailored to the unique requirements of the airline's long-haul fleet, supporting the long-term operation of double-deck aircraft.
The airport design includes four concourses, each with 100 dedicated boarding gates. Each gate is equipped with multi-level boarding bridges, allowing passengers to board different decks simultaneously, reducing boarding times. All 400 stands are contact stands providing direct access to the terminal, eliminating operational bottlenecks associated with remote stands.
Surrounded by unrestricted desert land, the airport can expand outward without urban boundaries or legal obstacles, enabling 24/7 operations with no curfew restrictions. This design sets a standard for global connectivity, keeping Dubai at the core of global commercial aviation.
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