Al Maktoum International Airport expansion to include second runway by 2027

Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is undergoing a massive expansion, with a second runway expected to be operational by 2027. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths stated that the first phase of the expansion aims to provide capacity for 150 million passengers by the early 2030s.

As Dubai International Airport (DXB) approaches its operating limit, operations will gradually transition to DWC. flydubai is expected to be the first airline to relocate, potentially moving five or six aircraft to the new airport as early as next year. This transition will be a staged process occurring over several years to ensure operational stability.

The long-term master plan for DWC includes the eventual construction of five runways, with the capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers annually. The development will utilize multiple passenger processing nodes to allow for scalable growth throughout the second half of the century.