Emirates is earmarking USD 10-12 bn in investments for Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as DWC), Emirates Chairman Ahmed Saeed Al Maktoum said on the sidelines of the Dubai Airshow. The airline remains confident that there will be “no issue” with regard to funding the airport’s transition by 2032.

DWC’s expansion also attracts USD 3.5 bn in foreign investment interest: DWC has received an expression of interest for up to USD 3.5 bn from the UK's export credit agency UK Export Finance to facilitate the airport’s development, according to a statement. This could mark the development’s first influx of foreign direct investment.

A quick refresher: The design plan for developing a new USD 35 bn passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport was approved by Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2024. The expanded airport will be the world’s largest — five times the size of Dubai International Airport (DXB) — and designed to host over 260 mn passengers, handle 12 mn tons of cargo, and feature five parallel runways and 400 gates. All operations from DXB are planned to transfer to this new facility within 10 years.

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