Dubai is relocating its international airport for $35 billion over the next 10 years.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's announcement marks the final stage in the revival of the long-term carrier Emirates after the coronavirus pandemic slowed international flights. Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international flights, will relocate its operations to a second airfield in the southern desert of the city "within the next 10 years" as part of a project worth nearly $35 billion, the government announced on Sunday.

Plans for relocating airport operations

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's announcement has marked the final stage in the revival of the long-term carrier Emirates after the coronavirus pandemic slowed down international flights. Plans to relocate operations from the airport known as DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central have also not been implemented due to the repercussions of the 2009 economic crisis.

The financial condition of the Emirates carrier

The financial condition of the carrier Emirates serves as a barometer for the aviation industry worldwide and the broader economic well-being of the city-state. Dubai and the airline have quickly recovered from the pandemic, moving forward with tourism, even as some countries slowly emerged from their pandemic crisis.

The best tourism indicators

Earlier in February, Dubai announced its best tourism figures in history, noting that in 2023 the city welcomed 17.15 million international overnight tourists. The average hotel occupancy rate was around 77%.

Dubai's plans for expansion to the south

Sheikh Mohammed's statement noted Dubai's plans to expand southward.