In a landmark development for global aviation infrastructure, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) announced on August 20, 2026, that it has secured a prestigious contract to lead the design, procurement, and integration of a massive automated people mover (APM) system at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport. This state-of-the-art transit network, stretching approximately 31 miles, is poised to redefine passenger connectivity for what is destined to become the world’s largest aviation hub.
The project, which represents a critical component of Dubai’s $35-billion expansion strategy, will feature a nine-station configuration serviced by a fleet of 165 automated vehicles. With a target completion date of December 2031, the system is designed to facilitate the seamless movement of millions of passengers across an expansive 27-square-mile site.
The Consortium and Engineering Scope
The contract, awarded by the Dubai Aviation City Corp. (DACC), highlights the strategic collaboration between Japanese engineering precision and Indian construction expertise. MHI will spearhead the project, working alongside its Dubai-based subsidiary, MHI Mobility Engineering Services, and the Mumbai-based infrastructure giant, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Ltd.
Under the terms of the agreement, MHI and its subsidiary will retain primary responsibility for the high-tech components of the system: the design, procurement, and rigorous testing of the automated vehicles and the sophisticated signaling systems. Furthermore, MHI will oversee the complex task of overall system integration, ensuring that the APM operates in perfect harmony with the airport’s broader technological ecosystem.
Larsen & Toubro, meanwhile, has been tasked with the physical realization of the transit network. L&T will design and procure secondary subsystems while taking the lead on all on-site construction activities. While the financial details of the contract remain confidential, industry analysts suggest that the scale of the project—which involves tunneling beneath an active airfield—places it among the most significant infrastructure investments of the decade.
A Chronology of the Al Maktoum Mega-Project
The evolution of Al Maktoum International from a secondary facility into the future centerpiece of Dubai’s aviation strategy has been a multi-year, meticulously phased endeavor.
- 2024: The Dubai government officially unveiled the $35-billion master plan to transform Al Maktoum into the world’s largest airport. The expansion was framed as a strategic necessity to accommodate the next 40 years of anticipated growth, with the eventual capacity to handle over 260 million passengers annually.
- June 2026: Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) confirmed that construction momentum was accelerating, with over $3.5 billion in contracts already under execution. Preparations were finalized for the release of an additional $15 billion in work packages.
- August 20, 2026: MHI is officially announced as the lead for the APM system, cementing the transition from the master-planning phase to specialized implementation.
- December 2031: The scheduled completion date for the APM network, serving as a critical milestone before the airport’s full-scale operational debut.
- 2032: The anticipated opening of the fully expanded Al Maktoum International Airport, which is projected to surpass Dubai International Airport as the emirate’s primary aviation gateway.
Supporting Data and System Scale
The sheer magnitude of the Al Maktoum APM system is unprecedented. At 31 miles in total track length, the network is designed to dwarf existing airport transit systems. For comparison, the Skylink at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport—widely considered a benchmark for efficient airport transit—consists of 4.81 miles of elevated track per loop. The Dubai system, by contrast, will feature multiple tracks running deep beneath the aircraft apron, connecting a series of sprawling terminals and concourses.
The terminal infrastructure that the APM will serve is equally staggering in scale. Each individual concourse is designed to span approximately 24.8 million square feet and extend over 1.7 miles in length. These concourses will house 100 boarding gates each, with the APM providing direct access at central passenger hubs to minimize walking distances. The West Terminal, a seven-level structure, is planned to encompass 8.6 million square feet, with an annual capacity of 45 million passengers.
The construction requirements reflect the complexity of building beneath an operating airfield. Current progress includes:
- Earthworks: Excavation exceeding 58.9 million cubic yards.
- Foundation: The installation of over 17,000 concrete piles.
- Core Infrastructure: Utilization of approximately 5.9 million cubic yards of concrete to date.
Official Perspectives: A Vision for the Future
The strategic importance of this project was underscored by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Dubai’s second deputy ruler, who noted in 2024 that the new airport would be over five times the size of the current Dubai International. "This project will prepare the ground for the next 40 years of growth," he stated, emphasizing the emirate’s commitment to maintaining its position as the global crossroads of travel.
Suzanne Al Anani, CEO of Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), has been instrumental in organizing the vast array of construction packages required to realize this vision. In recent briefings, Al Anani highlighted that the APM is being integrated alongside a highly sophisticated, automated baggage-handling system. This system, featuring underground galleries and batch centers, is designed to process an incredible 30,000 bags per hour. Utilizing automated guided vehicles, luggage will be delivered directly to aircraft stands via pop-up hatches, a design feature that ensures minimal interference with ground-handling operations.
Operational and Strategic Implications
The shift in configuration from the previously proposed four-station system to the currently announced nine-station system reflects the dynamic nature of the project. While DAEP’s earlier documentation suggested a phased approach starting with a limited underground loop, the current MHI-led configuration indicates a more robust initial rollout. This suggests that the planners have prioritized high-capacity, system-wide connectivity from the earliest possible stage of the airport’s opening.
Impact on Global Aviation
The competition between hub airports is fierce, and Al Maktoum’s development is a direct challenge to established major airports in Europe and Asia. By integrating the world’s largest APM system, Dubai is removing one of the most common passenger pain points: the time and stress associated with traversing massive airport footprints. The ability to move passengers rapidly between terminals, concourses, and ground transportation hubs will be a decisive factor in the airport’s efficiency.
Engineering Challenges
Building beneath an active airfield presents unique engineering hurdles. The necessity of maintaining strict safety protocols while excavating for tunnels and stations beneath heavy-load aprons requires advanced geotechnical and structural engineering. The collaboration between MHI and L&T suggests a division of labor that leverages Japanese expertise in high-speed, automated rail transit with L&T’s proven track record in executing large-scale, high-complexity civil infrastructure projects in the Middle East.
Economic and Sustainability Goals
The project is not merely an exercise in size; it is an exercise in future-proofing. With five parallel runways—each roughly 2.8 miles long—designed to allow four simultaneous parallel approaches, the airport is being built to handle the highest possible frequency of Code F aircraft. The emphasis on district cooling plants, power generation, and efficient baggage handling suggests a commitment to sustainability, ensuring that the massive footprint remains operationally viable and energy-efficient over the coming decades.
Conclusion
As the clock ticks toward the 2032 operational launch, the Al Maktoum International Airport project stands as a testament to Dubai’s unwavering ambition. By securing the delivery of the world’s largest automated people mover, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is not just building a transit system; it is helping to construct the circulatory system of the world’s most advanced aviation hub. As construction continues at a breakneck pace, the global aviation industry watches with keen interest, recognizing that the successful integration of these systems will set a new global standard for the modern, high-capacity airport of the 21st century.
