GCC invests $182bn in mega aviation hubs

The GCC is reshaping global aviation with multi-billion-dollar airport developments, led by monumental expansions in Dubai and Riyadh. As passenger traffic is projected to triple by 2040, these investments aim to establish the Gulf as a world-class aviation and tourism hub through cutting-edge infrastructure, sustainability, and scale.

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THE Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is investing heavily in airport infrastructure, with $182.6 billion worth of projects under way and a strong focus on mega-hubs in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. These projects are set to dramatically increase passenger capacity, enhance connectivity, and support the region's ambitions as a global aviation and tourism powerhouse.

Two monumental developments, each aiming to be the largest of its kind in the world, are under way — Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport (KSIA), which in May made key appointments that will help spearhead the project, and Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport expansion. These projects aim to handle 185 million and 260 million passengers annually, respectively.

These two mega-projects alone reportedly account for nearly 80 per cent of the total spending on airport development across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

The air passenger traffic in the Middle East is projected to increase by 300 per cent to 1.1 billion by 2040, highlighting the urgent need for expanded infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia intends to invest $50 billion in the King Salman International Airport, which aims to become the world's largest airport upon its completion in 2030.

Dubai has commenced construction on what is set to be the world's largest airport terminal, a $35-billion endeavour featuring 400 gates and five parallel runways.

According to London-based analytics firm Global Data, GCC airports are undertaking 48 renovation, expansion, and new construction projects valued at an estimated $182.6 billion, as the region anticipates a significant surge in air passenger numbers.