In the coming years, the global aviation industry will undergo significant changes. Many countries are planning the opening and large-scale expansion of international airports that are expected to become the largest transport hubs in their regions, capable of handling tens of millions of passengers annually.
Today, the world’s busiest hubs include London Heathrow, Istanbul Airport, and Dubai International Airport. However, over the next decade, new mega-airports will join them, particularly in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
One such project is Port Polska in Poland. Previously known as Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), the airport is planned to open in 2032 between Warsaw and Łódź. The hub will feature two runways and will be able to handle up to 40 million passengers per year, making it one of the largest airports in Europe. The project also includes the construction of a railway station and the launch of high-speed rail connections to Kraków, Gdańsk, and Wrocław. The architectural concept is being developed by the British firm Foster + Partners, and construction is scheduled to begin in the near future.
Major changes are also expected in the United Arab Emirates. While Dubai International Airport remains one of the busiest in the world, passenger traffic is expected to gradually shift to Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport. According to official plans, by 2032 DWC will become the emirate’s main aviation hub. After expansion, it will feature five runways and a capacity of up to 150 million passengers per year.
A large-scale project is also underway in Saudi Arabia. The King Salman International Airport under construction in Riyadh will integrate existing terminals and become one of the largest airports in the world. The project includes six parallel runways, with passenger capacity expected to reach 120 million by 2030 and 185 million by 2050.
In Africa, the largest aviation hub is planned to be Bishoftu International Airport in Ethiopia. It is being built approximately 40 kilometers from Addis Ababa. According to the design by Zaha Hadid Architects, the first phase of the airport, with a capacity of 60 million passengers per year, is expected to be completed by 2030. In the future, the hub is planned to expand to handle up to 110 million passengers annually. A high-speed railway will connect the new airport with the capital and the existing airport.
Experts note that the implementation of these projects will significantly reshape the global aviation map, strengthening the role of new transport hubs in international logistics and passenger transportation.
