Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport is set for a major transformation, with a planned $35 billion expansion aimed at significantly boosting its capacity and global reach.
At the Dubai Airshow 2025, UK Export Finance (UKEF) handed over a $3.5 billion Expression of Interest letter to support British companies’ involvement in building the sprawling DWC airport terminal.
This marks the first major foreign backing for the mega-project, showing strong global confidence in Dubai’s long-term aviation strategy.
UK Minister for Trade, Sir Chris Bryant, personally handed over the letter to Dubai aviation leaders, including Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, and Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.
This expansion will redefine global aviation and create huge opportunities for British suppliers to showcase their best technology and services,” Sir Chris said. The investment is expected to open doors for UK firms to participate in a project that blends cutting-edge design with world-class infrastructure.
The DWC expansion aims to handle 150 million passengers annually by the early 2030s, with potential growth to 260 million travelers. Plans include biometric check-ins, AI security systems, and smart sensors to streamline passenger flow, reflecting Dubai’s ambition to become a global aviation powerhouse.
Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), the master developer, stressed that the project uses modular construction and resilient infrastructure to ensure long-term benefits. CEO Suzanne Al Anani highlighted that the UK’s backing underscores international confidence in the project’s disciplined, engineering-driven delivery.
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths described the project as “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reimagine how airports operate, saying it will deliver a smoother, technology-driven experience for travelers. He noted that the $35 billion plan goes beyond expansion, aiming to redefine the future of global air travel.
