New tenders issued for Al Maktoum International Airport expansion

Dubai: Progress on the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA) is picking up speed, with additional contracts set to be awarded throughout the year.

Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, confirmed that contracts have already been issued for site preparation and the development of a second runway at AMIA.

Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), a government entity, has been tasked with overseeing the design and implementation of this landmark infrastructure initiative, he noted in a recent press statement.

Key components of the first phase—including the automated people mover and advanced baggage handling system—are currently in the tendering phase, with decisions on contract awards expected in the coming months.

Further tender packages, such as the terminal’s foundational structure, 132 kV substations, and district cooling facilities, are also planned for release this year. These elements will set the stage for the subsequent phases of construction.

This large-scale development forms a critical part of Dubai’s Economic Agenda 2033 and is expected to contribute significantly to the emirate’s long-term growth strategy.

In April, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, approved the design for the new terminal. Once complete, it will be the largest passenger terminal in the world.

Spanning 70 square kilometres, the airport is designed to handle over 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. According to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the initial phase—aimed at accommodating 150 million passengers—should be completed within the next decade.