Dubai South Real Estate Gains Attention as Al Maktoum International Airport Expansion Moves Forward
Dubai’s airport infrastructure strategy is accelerating. The expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) has entered the construction phase, with AED 55 billion (approximately USD 15 billion) in contracts set to be awarded by end of 2026.
This landmark project is expected to generate significant ripple effects across the surrounding real estate market.
In this article, we break down the relationship between the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion and Dubai South real estate.
What Is Al Maktoum International Airport?
Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central, DWC) is a separate international airport from Dubai International Airport (DXB). It began cargo operations in 2010 and passenger terminal operations in 2013.
Due to its distance from the city center, annual passenger numbers currently stand at around one million — but travelers who use it give it high marks:
“There’s no congestion at all — every process goes smoothly, and the journey is genuinely comfortable.”
“It’s a little far from the city center, but aside from that, it’s a wonderful airport.”
The airport is consistently praised for its ease of use and passenger experience.
AED 55 Billion in Construction Planned by End of 2026
Dubai International Airport (DXB) currently serves as Dubai’s primary airport, but it is approaching capacity limits and congestion is intensifying. As a result, plans are underway to transfer aviation operations from DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport.
Construction worth AED 55 billion is scheduled to be completed by end of 2026.
Scope of works includes:
- Foundation works for the Western Passenger Terminal
- A fourth aircraft concourse
- Automated People Mover (APM) system
- Baggage Handling System (BHS)
- Superstructure works for the Western Passenger Terminal and Concourses 1–3
- Approximately 1.5 million square meters of building structure
- Airfield infrastructure
- Power generation facilities
- Cooling plants
- Façade and roofing
According to Suzanne Al A
Over 10 Million Man-Hours on Site
nani of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects, the following works have already been completed:
- Installation of more than 17,000 concrete piles
- Excavation of over 45 million cubic meters
- Completion of the second runway
- Approximately 4.5 million cubic meters of concrete works
Cumulative site hours over the past 15 months have exceeded 10 million, with around 9,000 workers currently on-site — a figure
expected to peak at approximately 120,000.
Al Maktoum International Airport: Phase 1 Completion Expected in 2032
Phase 1 of Al Maktoum International Airport is expected to be completed in 2032. Spanning 70 square kilometers with a total floor area of 19.4 million square meters, it will rank among the world’s most ambitious megaprojects.
Upon completion, the airport will feature:
- 5 runways
- 2 terminals
- 7 concourses
- Cargo handling capacity: 12 million tonnes
- Passenger capacity: over 260 million annually
To put that in perspective, Dubai International Airport (DXB) currently handles approximately 95.2 million passengers per year — making Al Maktoum’s 260 million-plus capacity an extraordinary leap in scale.
Real Estate Development Flourishing in Dubai South
In April 2024, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced plans to build an entire city around Al Maktoum International Airport, a development expected to generate housing demand for one million people. Dubai South has been officially designated as a large-scale urban development zone, and several major real estate projects are currently underway.
Majid Al Futtaim Master Community
Souce:『Majid Al Futtaim』
In May 2026, real estate developer Majid Al Futtaim announced plans to develop a community within Dubai South. Individual unit prices have not yet been disclosed.
| Item | Details |
| Project | Large-scale mixed-use master community (working title) |
| Announcement Date | May 19, 2026 |
| Total Development Value | AED 62 billion |
| Site Area | Approximately 22 million square feet |
| Sales Status | Individual unit names, layouts, prices, and payment plans not yet announced |
HAYAT by Dubai South
Souce:『HAYAT by Dubai South』
HAYAT by Dubai South sold out within hours of launch for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
| Item | Details |
| Project | HAYAT by Dubai South |
| Developer | Dubai South Properties |
| Location | Dubai South, adjacent to Golf District |
| Scale | Master-planned community of approximately 10 million sq ft |
| Total Units | Approximately 2,500 |
| Unit Types | Townhouses, semi-detached villas, standalone villas, apartments, hotel apartments |
| Layouts | 1–5 bedrooms |
| Construction Start | Q2 2026 |
| Initial Phase Completion | 2028 (planned) |
| Amenities | Parks, promenades, family playgrounds, fitness facilities, pools, landscaped gardens, retail boulevard, and more |
Emaar South
Sorce:『Emaar South』
Emaar Properties has also announced a large-scale master community within Dubai South.
| Item | Details |
| Project | Emaar South |
| Developer | Emaar Properties |
| Location | Dubai South, adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport |
| Unit Types | Apartments, townhouses, villas |
| Layouts | 1–5 bedrooms |
| Key Features | 18-hole championship golf course, green spaces, parks, retail, family facilities |
| Starting Price | From AED 1,760,888 |
| Access | 5 minutes to Al Maktoum Airport / 15 minutes to Expo 2020 area / 25 minutes to Dubai Marina |
Summary
Dubai South — the area surrounding Al Maktoum International Airport — is drawing strong interest from investors. As the airport moves toward its 2032 operational launch, urban development across residential, commercial, logistics, and retail sectors in and around Dubai South will continue to accelerate.
We recommend keeping this project on your radar as part of any serious Dubai investment strategy. If you are interested in purchasing property in Dubai South near Al Maktoum International Airport, please don’t hesitate to reach out to JCME GROUP.
