Citing the need for a much bigger space to accommodate its expansion projects, Emirates Airline will transfer its operations from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport by 2025.
The sprawling Al Maktoum International Airport, the second largest airport in Dubai, is located at the Dubai World Central (DWC) near Jebel Ali, south of Dubai.
Al Maktoum International Airport opened to passenger traffic in October 2013. There are currently 17 passenger airlines and 34 cargo operators at the airport.
Dubai Aviation City Corporation executive chairman Khalifa Al Zaffin said Al Maktoum International Airport “will be the world’s largest airport once completed.”
Dubai’s FlyDubai will move to the Al Maktoum International Airport next year ahead of Emirates Airlines although some if its flights were already transferred at the said airport.
By 2025, Al Zaffin expected the operations of Emirates Airline will be transferred to the Al Maktoum International Airport.
“Maktoum International Airport is being developed to cater to the future aviation and logistics needs of Dubai. There is no doubt that the new airport will play an increasingly important role in the long-term. Emirates has not officially announced any dates for the shift of operations but we are aiming to move by the middle of the next decade,” according to Emirates.
Passenger capacity at the Al Maktoum International Airport is expected to increase to 25 million passengers a year by the end of 2017.
Even before the transfer of Emirates Airline to Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai airport authorities sought to increase its capacity to 120 million passengers a year.
The heavily congested Dubai International Airport is currently one of the world’s busiest airports. The transfer of FlyDubai’s to Al Maktoum International Airport will allow Emirates to have more space.
Emirates is only one of the few airlines to operate the double-decker Airbus 380s.