All operations at Dubai International will be shifted to Al Maktoum International in the next few years

All operations at Dubai International (DXB) will be shifted to Al Maktoum International (AMI) during the coming years. A new Dh128-billion passenger terminal at the AMI, announced on Sunday, will increase passenger capacity to 260 million per year and "fully absorb" DXB operations in ten years. The news represents the second phase of the airport's expansion. The operator of both airports stated that DXB will continue to function as the principal hub, "meeting the needs of 100 million plus guests over the next few years as phase two of DWC takes shape."

Emirates Airline, located in Dubai, referred to the airport as its "future home" while sharing photographs of the AMI. The airport will be five times the size of DXB when fully operational, covering 70 square kilometers. It will have five parallel runways and five passenger terminals with over 400 aircraft gates.

The first phase of the project is planned to be completed within ten years, with a capacity to accommodate 150 million passengers per year.

"Al Maktoum International will comprise five parallel runways with a quadruple independent operation, west and east processing terminals, four satellite concourses with over 400 aircraft contact stands, uninterrupted automated people mover system for passengers, and an integrated landside transport hub for roads, Metro, and city air transport," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and Chair. 

It will "prepare the ground" for Dubai's aviation sector's expected growth over the next 40 years.