Dubai: The first phase of the projected passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, commonly known as Dubai World Central, is “progressing well,” according to a top official with Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP).
Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of DAEP and Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, told the media on the sidelines of the Dubai Airport Show that contracts worth more than Dh1 billion had been awarded for the construction of Phase 1 of the Dubai South airport, which included the construction of a second runway. DAEP has been tasked with designing and carrying out this transformational airport program.
According to Al Zaffin, the project is intended to employ and house up to 1 million people, which is critical to the growth of Dubai South, a master-planned city and logistics hub where the new airport will be located.
“The project will directly contribute to Dubai’s economic diversification and resilience. It will create thousands of employment opportunities in key sectors, including construction, aviation, logistics, real estate, tourism and cargo,” said Al Zaffin.
Furthermore, Al Maktoum International (DWC)’s position in Dubai South will “stimulate growth in adjacent areas, which will witness increased demand for hotels, hospitality services, and real estate developments, adding to the expansion of the city’s real estate market.”
Contracts awarded
Commenting on contracts awarded, Al Zaffin said, “Several major packages required for the first phase of the project — including the Automated People Mover (APM) and the Baggage Handling System (BHS) — are currently in the tendering stage, with contracts expected to be awarded later this year.”
“Additionally, the terminal substructure, early 132kV substations, and district cooling plants are the next packages to be tendered this year, laying the foundation for the subsequent delivery phases,” he added.
Al Zaffin also said that negotiations are underway with contractors. “There will be so many contracts…The (contract) for the second runway has been awarded, and we are talking about something like a billion for a runway.”
He added. “We are going through all the enabling works (which has been awarded a Dh75 million contract), infrastructure and structural work, and then we are going with super structure,” he said.
Completion by 2032
Al Zaffin acknowledged that the project’s first phase might be completed by 2032, with full completion planned for the early 2030s.
He said, “The design is being done, and we have already started work on the ground.” The airport will be a technological marvel, where we are trying to make (the passenger journey) smooth, with a lot of passenger delight.”
After phase 1, Al Zaffin expects the terminal’s capacity to rise to around 150 million passengers per year.
The ultimate goal is to achieve a capacity of 260 million passengers and 12 tonnes of cargo each year.
“If you look at where we are now, we have one of the biggest airlines in the world (Emirates). Dubai International Airport (DXB) is reaching capacity. We are growing (under) a lot of pressure. Because of (these) limitations, we cannot grow exponentially,” said the DAEP chief.
He explained, “A part of what we do is a lot of studies of passenger growth in the area (DXB). We know by 2032, we will be serving 150 million passengers and designing accordingly.
Al Zaffin also confirmed that several other phases will follow Phase 1.
