How much has already been committed to the DWC project?

AED 13 billion in construction contracts are currently under construction, and 10 million work hours have been committed over the last 15 months.

What is the expected passenger capacity of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)?

DWC is being built to eventually handle 260 million passengers a year, making it a central component of Dubai's long-term aviation strategy.

Which company is providing the automated train system for DWC?

Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has been selected as the contractor for the fully automated train system, which will connect all concourses within DWC.

What is the timeline for DXB reaching its capacity?

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expected to reach its maximum capacity by the time 2032 comes around, necessitating the shift of operations to DWC.

What upgrades are being implemented at DXB?

DXB is undergoing renovations including the reopening of a refurbished "Hammerhead" remote terminal off Concourse B with a new retail area, and Terminal 1 is being refurbished with new floors and advanced security screening equipment from Smiths Detection.

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Infrastructure·30 August 2026

Dubai Airports to Award AED 55 Billion in New DWC Contracts by Year-End

Dubai Airports is poised to award an additional AED 55 billion in construction contracts for the Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) project before the end of the year, signaling continued rapid development.

Development of Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is proceeding at full speed, with Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths announcing plans to award an additional AED 55 billion in construction contracts by year-end. This new tranche of contracts will be distributed across various packages in the coming months, adding to the AED 13 billion in contracts already under construction.

Griffiths affirmed that the construction pace remains unaffected by broader regional situations, despite ongoing global supply chain challenges. To mitigate these, Dubai Airports is mobilising suppliers worldwide, ensuring the project stays on schedule.

Current Progress and Infrastructure

The DWC project has already seen significant progress, with 10 million work hours committed over the last 15 months. Key milestones include the installation of 17,000 piles and the movement of 45 million cubic metres of earth.

A fully automated train system, provided by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), will facilitate passenger movement across the expansive new airport campus. MHI, which also operates the train connecting Terminal 3 and Concourse A at Dubai International Airport (DXB), will connect all of DWC's concourses.

Strategic Importance and Future Capacity

The urgency behind DWC's development is driven by the projected capacity limitations at DXB, which is expected to reach its maximum by 2032. The new airport is designed to handle an eventual 260 million passengers annually, serving as the cornerstone of Dubai's long-term aviation strategy.

Griffiths anticipates that new long-range narrow-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A321XLR, will allow DWC to serve a significantly increased number of destinations. This could potentially boost the number of cities served directly from DWC by a factor of three, reaching up to 600 cities when the airport opens.

DXB Upgrades and Transition

While DWC progresses, upgrades are also underway at DXB. A newly refurbished "Hammerhead" remote terminal off Concourse B is set to reopen shortly, featuring a new retail area. Terminal 1 is also undergoing refurbishment, with new floors and additional security lanes being installed. Advanced screening equipment from Smiths Detection is being rolled out, eliminating the need for passengers to remove liquids or laptops from their bags.

Frequently asked

Questions, answered

How much has already been committed to the DWC project?: AED 13 billion in construction contracts are currently under construction, and 10 million work hours have been committed over the last 15 months.
What is the expected passenger capacity of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)?: DWC is being built to eventually handle 260 million passengers a year, making it a central component of Dubai's long-term aviation strategy.
Which company is providing the automated train system for DWC?: Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has been selected as the contractor for the fully automated train system, which will connect all concourses within DWC.
What is the timeline for DXB reaching its capacity?: Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expected to reach its maximum capacity by the time 2032 comes around, necessitating the shift of operations to DWC.
What upgrades are being implemented at DXB?: DXB is undergoing renovations including the reopening of a refurbished "Hammerhead" remote terminal off Concourse B with a new retail area, and Terminal 1 is being refurbished with new floors and advanced security screening equipment from Smiths Detection.

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Google News — Off-plan & Handover (7d)

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This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.

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