Dubai World Central International Airport - Al Maktoum, which is often referred to simply as Al Maktoum Airport, is the second airport in Dubai, which in the future, after its completion, will become the main airport of the emirate. The airport changed its name several times, until the authorities settled on an option in honor of local rulers from the Al Maktoum clan.
The air terminal is located 37 km south-west of Dubai, in Jabal Ali, formerly a modest coastal village, now practically a suburb of the city of Dubai, turned into a "free trade zone". The airport is part of a future residential and commercial complex called Dubai South. Over time, the area near the airport will be built up with hotels and residential and office buildings.
Dubai South is called the aerotropolis (a city formed near the airport) in the local press due to the fact that the local economy will be directly linked to the airport.
Al Maktoum Airport was opened for passenger traffic in 2013. Now it serves just over a dozen airlines. It also accepts flights from Russia - Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Tyumen.
Ambitious plans
The biggest incentive for the construction of Al Maktoum Airport is the ability to provide Dubai's air gates with a maximum capacity of 120-150 million passengers per year. That's nearly 65% more than Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, which is currently the world's busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers.
Al Maktoum International Airport, according to the plans of the authorities of the emirate, should become one of the largest passenger and cargo airports on the planet.
The press has already dubbed Al Maktoum the airport of the future, as it will be able to serve all the latest aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
The area of the future airport will be 220 sq. Km. Recently, it was announced that the construction of the airport was suspended due to the decline in the world market for oil prices. Dubai plans to complete the airport complex by 2030. However, a pause in construction does not in any way affect what should turn out in total. So, at the Al Maktoum airport there will be:
- 5 parallel runways with a length of 4.5 km each. The distance between them will be 800 m;
- 3 terminals. One will be designed to serve the flights of the Emirates Group airlines, the second will ensure the work of other air carriers, the third will receive and send low-cost and charter flights;
- 16 cargo terminals that will be able to provide dispatch and reception of 12 million tons of cargo per year;
- hotels and shopping centers;
- air transport maintenance centers;
- about 100 thousand parking spaces.
Airport infrastructure
By 2020, Al Maktoum Airport has one terminal for passengers and one terminal for unloading cargo. Also, the runway is completely ready, which allows receiving giant planes. On the territory of the aircraft there is a parking lot for 64 aircraft.
The passenger terminal is distinguished by an abundance of light, air and the absence of queues at the check-in counters. There are still not many shops where you can buy jewelry, souvenirs, perfumes, and the press, but the trade zone will expand every year.
There are also a number of cafes and restaurants for passengers, including chain restaurants, where you can dine with dishes of national, Asian or European cuisines. If you don't have time for a full meal, buy snacks from special vending machines that are installed in different parts of the terminal.
You can change currency at exchange offices, withdraw cash at ATMs. There are also luggage storage facilities at the airport, as well as points for packing suitcases.
Prayer rooms are open for believers.
VIP clients will be delighted to have a separate lounge area.
Hotels at the airport have not yet been built, so transit passengers are offered to stay in hotels that are 7-10 km from Al Maktoum.
How to get to the airport
The biggest disadvantage of Al Maktoum Airport passengers consider the inconvenient transfer - the airport is not connected to Dubai by the metro line. They plan to do this in the future. In the meantime, you have to get to the city first by buses, and only then change to the metro.
Buses F55 leave from the airport every hour to Ibn Battuta Metro Station. You can pay for your trip using a transport card, which is sold at the airport. You cannot pay for the card in dollars or euros, so first exchange a small amount for dirhams. The bus travel will cost 5 dirhams.
You can also get to Dubai by taxi. There are special ladies taxis in the emirate, driven by female drivers. The cars are painted pink. A taxi to the airport terminal will be assisted by local staff.
