ONE country has plans to open the largest airport in the world – although passenger flights could be a long way off.
Al Maktoum International Airport (also known as Dubai World Central) first started welcoming passenger flights in 2013.
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The airport, which is located 20 miles southwest of Dubai, had ambitious plans to become the largest and busiest airport in the world.
According to CNN Travel, Al Maktoum International Airport had plans to become a futuristic “mega-hub” that aimed to change how air passengers travelled.
A massive 3D model featuring six runways and three terminals was recently displayed at the Dubai Air Show.
Boss of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, explained to CNN that expansion and investment in Dubai International Airport had been prioritised over the new mega airport.
Mr Griffiths added: “This will continue until all possible capacity is absorbed.
“This expansion will not only accommodate near-term growth but also provide us with additional time to strategise for the phased expansion of Dubai World Central.”
Despite not having a firm completion date, it is thought that Dubai could need a new airport in the 2030s – although nothing has been confirmed.
When the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport is finished, it is hoped that the airport will be able to handle 160million passengers per year, as well as 12million tonnes of freight.
The airport is currently served by a handful of low-cost airlines that mainly operate services to Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia.
Despite the limited number of passenger flights, Al Maktoum International Airport has found another purpose in the aviation industry.
The lesser-known Dubai airport is used for aircraft maintenance, repair, and it also welcomes executive jets and charter flights.
King Salman International Airport, Saudi Arabia
Another country is also hoping to build the biggest airport in the world.
King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will have a massive six runways and is expected to see 120million passengers through a year.
The huge new travel hub in the capital will be spread across over 57 square kilometres, making it the biggest in the world by 2030.
When the whopping hub opens in 2030, it is expected to be able to accommodate 120million passengers.
There are plenty of other new airports hoping to open across Europe too.
Warsaw Solidarity Airport, Poland
Poland’s new mega travel hub is expected to rival the likes of Heathrow and Dubai thanks to its proposed long-haul flights.
The new airport aims to enable passengers from Central and Eastern European countries to fly almost anywhere in the world – without having to travel to hubs in Western Europe first.
Plans are well underway to build Warsaw Solidarity Airport because Warsaw Chopin Airport (the city’s main airport) is nearing capacity.
While Poland plans to build on its overall passenger growth, the new centre will also help the country’s flag carrier (LOT Polish Airlines) to increase its passenger numbers too.
Salerno Airport, Italy
Pontecagnano (Salerno) Airport is currently undergoing a huge £400million renovation.
A longer runway will be built as part of the expansion, as well as five new boarding gates.
More than €250million (£214million) has been spent on the development of the commercial structures inside the airport.
Other developments are also underway in the local area, including a new metro, with five new stops, which will flank the Salerno Battipaglia railway line.
Meanwhile, British Airways will be resuming flights from London Stansted for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The flag carrier has confirmed three new routes will depart from the London airport, with prices starting at £36 for a one-way ticket.
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