Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as Dubai World Central, DWC)
Dubai’s New Mega Airport Project

• Overview & Positioning
  • Location: Approximately 37 km southwest of central Dubai, near Jebel Ali / Dubai South (World Central).
  • Function: Initially designed as a cargo airport, now being expanded into Dubai’s future main international aviation hub.
  • Scale:
    • Covers an area of 70 km²
    • Planned to include 5 parallel runways and 400 boarding gates
    • Cargo capacity: 12 million tons/year
    • Passenger capacity: 260 million passengers/year, set to surpass current DXB
  
  
• Investment & Timeline
  • Total Investment: Approx. NT$348 billion (USD 35 billion / AED 128 billion)
    • One of the most expensive airport projects in the world
  • Timeline:
    • Phase 1 is expected to be completed within 10 years, with capacity to handle 150 million passengers annually
    • DWC will eventually replace DXB as Dubai’s primary international airport
  
  
• Architecture & Design Vision
  • Lead Architect: Austrian firm Coop Himmelb(l)au
    • Emphasizes futuristic aesthetics and user experience
    • Features skylights, open layouts, integration of natural light and AI-powered smart navigation
  • Sustainability Measures:
    • Full implementation of solar energy and underground cooling reservoirs
    • Ground transportation within the airport will use electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles
    • Goal: Net-zero carbon emissions for ground operations
  
  
• Urban Impact & Strategic Implications
  • Airport City Vision:
    • Surrounding the airport, a comprehensive airport city is planned
    • Includes logistics zones, commercial districts, and residential communities
    • Expected to create over 1 million jobs and support a significant residential population
  • DXB Transformation:
    • Once DWC is fully operational, Dubai International Airport (DXB) will be decommissioned, and its land repurposed for future development
  
  
• Key Summary

  • Key Area	Details
    Scale	70 km², 5 runways, 400 gates, 260M passengers/year
    Investment	Approx. USD 35 billion
    Design	Coop Himmelb(l)au – futuristic, sustainable, AI-integrated
    Sustainability	Solar energy, EV/hydrogen transport, underground cooling
    Impact	1 million jobs, full DXB replacement, new residential & logistics hubs

  
  
• Expansion of Freehold Zones:
  In 2025, Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Jaddaf were designated as freehold areas, attracting more investors. Property prices in these zones are expected to rise by 30–50%. (Sources: Hummingbird Feeders, therealestatereports.com)
  
  
• Smart Rent Index Launched:
  Dubai introduced a Smart Rent Index in 2025 to enhance transparency in the rental market and protect the rights of both tenants and landlords. (Source: GlobeNewswire)
  
  
• Digitalization Enhancing Market Transparency:
  The Dubai Land Department, in collaboration with Digital Dubai, is working to improve data transparency in the real estate sector, helping Dubai climb the ranks in the Global Real Estate Transparency Index.