Top 10 World’s Biggest Airport Megaprojects

With air travel forecasted to reach 136% of 2019 pre-Covid levels by 2030, airport authorities are aggressively expanding their airfields to accommodate the expected surge in traffic.

Major projects are already underway globally to meet this demand.

Here are the ten largest airport construction projects in 2025:

1. Al Maktoum International Airport | Dubai

Topping the global list of major airport projects is the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, which aims to become the world’s largest airport by 2050, with a capacity for 260 million passengers annually.

Phase one of the $33 billion project, also known as Dubai World Central, will boost capacity to 130 million passengers by 2030.

The project, launched in June 2010 for cargo and in October 2013 for passengers, stalled in 2020 due to Covid-19.

Architecture firm Coop Himmelb(l)au is working with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants on a new design for the airport.

Phase one is expected to open by 2032.

2. King Salman International Airport | Saudi Arabia

Under construction in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, King Salman International Airport is on track to become the world’s largest airport by 2029, at an estimated cost of $30 billion.

UK-based contractor Mace is the delivery partner for the six-runway project, set to open in time for Riyadh Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034.

RELATED: List of world’s 10 Biggest Airports

The airport will span 57 square kilometres and serve over 100 million passengers annually.

3. Long Thanh International Airport | Vietnam

Located 40km east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s $16 billion Long Thanh International Airport will replace Tan Son Nhat as the country’s largest airport.

Phase one of the project, which started in 2021, includes a new terminal and a 4km runway. Completion is set for 2025, with a capacity to serve 25 million passengers annually.

The phase is led by Vietur, a consortium headed by Turkey’s IC Ictas, at a cost of $4.1 billion.

Upon completion, the airport will handle 100 million passengers annually.

4. JFK Airport | USA

New York’s JFK Airport is undergoing an $18 billion upgrade to transform it into a world-class facility.

The project’s highlight is the $9.5 billion New Terminal 1, which will replace the current Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

The terminal will be 2.4 million square feet, more than double the size of the existing ones.
The four-part upgrade also includes Terminal 6 construction, Terminal 4 expansion, and Terminal 8 modernization.

The project is expected to finish in 2030.

5. Los Angeles International Airport | USA 

Los Angeles International Airport is undergoing a $30 billion modernization, the largest project in the city’s history.

Launched in 2009, it includes Terminal 4 and 5 renovations, runway improvements, and the construction of an Automated People Mover.

The upgrades, set to finish by 2025, will increase capacity and sustainability ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games.

6. Sangley Point International Airport | Philippines

The $11 billion Sangley Point International Airport project in the Philippines is moving ahead, with construction expected to begin in 2025.

The two-runway airport will have an initial capacity of 25 million passengers, expandable to 130 million. The first runway is slated for completion within four years.

7. Changi Airport Terminal 5 | Singapore

Singapore’s Changi Airport is expanding with a $10 billion project, including the construction of Terminal 5 and upgrades to existing terminals.

T5 is set to become one of the largest terminals globally, handling 50 million passengers annually upon its completion in 2030. Construction begins in 2025.

8. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport | USA

DFW Airport in Texas began its $9 billion DFW Forward transformation in August 2024.

The plan includes rebuilding Terminal C for $3 billion, adding gates to Terminals A and C, and constructing a new parking structure.

The project is expected to be completed by 2030.

9. U-Tapao Aviation City | Thailand

Thailand is set to begin construction of U-Tapao Aviation City later this year.  

The $8.8 billion project involves upgrading the Vietnam-war-era Utapao Airport into Thailand’s third main international airport.

U-Tapao Airport will connect with Don Muang Airport and the country’s main Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The goal of the project is to create a modern aviation hub that offers a range of amenities, and business opportunities to complement the existing U-Tapao airport.

The project, christened ‘Eastern Aviation City’ will sit on 1,040 hectares.

10. Solidarity Transport Hub | Poland

Poland is planning what is billed as one of the largest airport projects in Europe near the village of Baranow, about 40km west of Warsaw.

The $8 billion project entails the construction of a new airport – to be known as Centra Airport, which will be one of the largest airports in Europe with the capacity to handle 45 million passengers upon its completion in 2031.

The project also includes the development of high-speed rail connections, road infrastructure, and logistics facilities to enhance economic development.

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