In 2024, Dubai announced its plans for a new international airport, set to become one of the world’s biggest aviation hubs. While the project is underway, an underground train system easing transportation at the Al Maktoum International Airport has now been unveiled.
During the Arabian Travel Market 2025, CEO of Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths shared the latest plans for the airport at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Part of those plans is an underground train system, which will make it easier for the estimated 260 million annual passengers to get around.
The train system will partly replace the usual shuttle services at the airport. Currently, Dubai International Airport uses the so-called Automated People Mover (APM) to transport passengers in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Limited seating facilities are available due to the limited duration of the journey.
However, because of the scale of the project (planned to span over 70 square kilometres), journeys aboard the new underground train will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes, meaning seating will be available, allowing passengers to sit down during the ride.
“The underground system that we’re going to have to put for the new airport is going to be very comprehensive. We’re going to have to make it pretty quick to minimise the travel distances, because if you look at it, it’s such a large site that actually the same sort of distance by rail will be similar to going from, say, King’s Cross to Paddington in London, which is a 20 minute journey time. We have to make it fast, efficient and competitive in terms of circulation of transfer passengers to get to and from the airport”, said Paul Griffiths.
A mega project worth $35 billion
The new Al Maktoum International Airport is currently set to consist of eight smaller airports, thus facilitating the check-in process and cutting down on waiting times.
“The idea is that we do not want to create a mega airport with formidable walking distances. What we want to try and do is create something unique. We’ll be using some very significant data techniques powered by AI to ensure we can operate eight small airports within one large airport effectively to create an intimate experience,” Griffiths explained.
Today, we approved the designs for the new passenger terminals at Al Maktoum International Airport, and commencing construction of the building at a cost of AED 128 billion as part of Dubai Aviation Corporation's strategy.
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) April 28, 2024
Al Maktoum International Airport will enjoy the… pic.twitter.com/oG973DGRYX
According to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO and founder of the Emirates Group, and chairman of Dubai World, the first phase of the project should be finished within 10 years. At that stage, the airport will be able to accommodate 150 million passengers annually. The project is set to cost $35 billion.
