Dubai, UAE — A monumental transformation is underway in Dubai South, where the emirate is shaping a futuristic aerotropolis anchored by the Dh128-billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). This visionary infrastructure will not only redefine the global aviation landscape but also create up to 1 million jobs and provide housing for over 1 million residents, solidifying Dubai’s role as a global economic powerhouse.
The mega development, spanning 145 square kilometres, will fully absorb operations from Dubai International Airport (DXB) over the next decade, laying the foundation for a next-generation city built around aviation, logistics, commerce, and residential living.
An Engine for Massive Job Creation
According to Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) and Dubai South, the airport expansion will generate between 500,000 to 1 million jobs, driving growth across construction, aviation, real estate, logistics, and tourism.
More than Dh1 billion worth of contracts have already been awarded, including a Dh1 billion deal for a second runway and Dh75 million for enabling works. Other major components such as the Automated People Mover and Baggage Handling System are in the tender phase, according to The National News.
A City for One Million Residents
Currently home to just 25,000 residents, the Dubai South residential district is poised for explosive growth. Nabil Al Kindi, CEO of Dubai South Properties, anticipates a surge in population as the airport nears completion, expecting over one million people to relocate to the area in the coming years (Khaleej Times).
To support this influx, several large-scale residential projects are underway. Developments such as The Pulse Apartments, The Pulse Villas, The Pulse Beachfront, and South Living have seen strong investor demand, with multiple phases already sold out and new units scheduled for delivery by mid-2025. A strategic agreement with BT Properties will also bring a gated community to Dubai South’s Golf District.
Technological Marvel with a Human Touch
When completed, Al Maktoum International Airport will be one of the largest airports in the world, with a capacity to handle 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo per year. The first phase, expected to be completed by 2032, will accommodate 150 million passengers annually (Gulf News).
The facility will feature two passenger terminals, seven concourses, 400+ gates, and underground trains to connect smaller terminals — all designed to minimise walking distances and enhance efficiency. According to The National, the airport will use biometrics, AI, and robotics to create a “borderless” passenger experience, eliminating traditional checkpoints and queues.
Economic Ripple Effect Across Sectors
Dubai South is envisioned not just as an airport hub, but as a self-contained economic ecosystem, with a multi-modal transport network that integrates air, land, and sea. The development is expected to stimulate robust activity in hospitality, education, healthcare, and retail, as businesses and professionals flock to the region (Economic Times).
This urban vision ties into Dubai’s broader economic goals — particularly diversification and resilience. As capacity constraints at DXB loom, the shift to DWC is both timely and strategic. Dubai’s authorities are preparing a single-move transition plan to ensure seamless operations without disrupting passenger services, a step supported by extensive Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) programmes.
As the vision takes shape, Dubai South is rapidly becoming more than a development project — it is the foundation of Dubai’s next economic era, merging innovation, infrastructure, and opportunity on an unprecedented scale.
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