The world of aviation is constantly evolving. As passenger numbers rise, the construction of newer and larger airports — alongside the expansion of existing terminals — is vital. Over the next decade, there are a slew of exciting projects in the works across the globe to meet booming demand. Take a look at some of the most interesting new airports under construction and what travelers can expect once they open.

Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport – Dubai, UAE

Dubai’s current airport is already one of the world’s busiest airports, but the city’s status as a major global hub is set to further increase as a new airport nears completion.

Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) opened in 2010 for cargo operations. It later expanded to support passenger traffic but was always overshadowed by the much larger Dubai International. That’s set to change thanks to ambitious expansion plans unveiled by the Dubai government in 2024. When completed around 2030 to 2034, DWC will boast five runways and have the capacity to handle 150 million passengers within the next decade — over 55 million more than Dubai’s current airport sees.

King Salman International Airport – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The new King Salman International Airport is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to welcome more overseas tourists and strengthen trade and transportation connections between Riyadh and the rest of the world. With six runways planned, it’s set to become one of the world’s largest airports, able to accommodate between 100 million and 120 million passengers by its 2030 opening, with that figure rising to 185 million by 2050.

Elsewhere in the country, other aviation projects are already up and running, such as the Red Sea International Airport in Hanak, which opened in 2023, and the new Al-Jouf International Airport, which welcomed its first travelers in February 2026.

Centralny Port Komunikacyjny Airport – Warsaw, Poland

A new airport between Warsaw and Łódź is planned in conjunction with the launch of a high-speed rail network across Poland and investment in regional development projects. Centralny Port Komunikacyjny Airport is expected to open by 2032, and it will accommodate an estimated 34 million to 44 million passengers.

Thanks to the location 23 miles west of Warsaw city center, it should avoid the congestion currently experienced by passengers arriving and departing at inner-city Warsaw Chopin Airport. And with planned train and bus connections, those who use it should find it a seamless experience, whether they’re bound for the Polish capital or beyond. 

New Manila International Airport – Manila, The Philippines

Despite upgrades and improvements, Manila’s existing international airport has a reputation for overcrowding and delays, and its terminals and congested surroundings struggle to accommodate passenger demand. Work began on the New Manila International Airport to the northwest of the city in 2019; it is scheduled to open in 2028.

When finished, the airport will have four runways and serve 35 million passengers initially, rising to handle 100 million annual passengers when the airport reaches full capacity. 

Bishoftu International Airport – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ethiopian Airlines is one of Africa’s biggest carriers, leveraging Addis Ababa as a convenient hub for transiting passengers. Despite terminal expansion work, the city’s current airport, Bole, is struggling to keep pace with demand. Thus, work began on a new airport in Bishoftu, close to the southern outskirts of the capital.

Renowned global firm Zaha Hadid Architects plan to create a stylish and impressive base for the Ethiopian national carrier. The two-runway airport should be ready by 2030, with the potential to accommodate 60 million passengers initially. That figure will grow to 110 million when a further two runways are added.

Western Sydney International Airport – Sydney, Australia

Australia’s newest airport, Western Sydney International, should relieve pressure on Sydney’s main existing airport when it opens in October 2026. A new terminal building at Western Sydney International was initially unveiled in June 2025, ahead of work to fill out its interior with retail concessions and airport lounges.

Located 38 miles from the Central Business District of Australia’s most populous city, the airport is expected to operate 24/7, free of the curfews that restrict operations at Sydney Airport. Initially, one runway will have the capacity to support 10 million annual passengers, but ambitious plans to stretch this to 82 million by 2063 are already in place.

U.S. Airport Terminal Overhauls

While there are no new built-from-scratch airports slated to open in the U.S. later this decade, a number of existing airports are getting a major overhaul. One example is Pittsburgh International, where an extensive modernization project revealed in 2025 has already transformed the existing infrastructure — with upgrades to baggage handling, security, concessions, and parking (and more updates to come).

In San Diego, a $3.8 billion revamp of the airport’s Terminal 1 went live in 2025. It boasts 19 new gates, spacious check-in and security facilities, and expanded dining and retail concessions. Eleven additional gates are slated to open in the next few years. Elsewhere, Tampa International Airport’s new Airside D is due in 2028, and Columbus, Ohio, is set to debut a brand-new terminal in 2029.