Most Expensive Airport Construction Projects in Recent History
Airports are among the most expensive infrastructure projects countries undertake. They’re national investments meant to drive trade, tourism, and global reputation. Every airport in the world, with its runways and terminals, tells a story of economic vision and international competition.
In the last few decades, a few projects have stood out for their enormous price tags and scale.
Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai, UAE)
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Dubai plans to build what could be the largest airport in the world. The project is expected to cost around $35 billion and handle up to 260 million passengers a year. With five runways and a powerful logistics city around it, it’s a core part of Dubai’s plan to stay at the center of global air travel.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (Beijing, China)
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Daxing, which opened in 2019, cost about $17 billion to build. It was designed to take pressure off Beijing’s older airport and can serve 100 million passengers each year. Its layout and automation make it one of the most efficient and technologically advanced airports ever built.
Pudong International Airport Expansion – Phase IV (Shanghai, China)
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Shanghai’s main airport is expanding again, with this phase being part of a broader ¥317.6 billion program. The plan includes the addition of the new Terminal 3 and enhancements to road and rail links. It’s part of China’s long-term effort to handle increasing international traffic.
Long Thanh International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam)
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Long Thanh International Airport near Ho Chi Minh City will replace the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat Airport. Costing about $18.7 billion, it’s being built in stages. The first phase, expected in 2025–2026, includes one runway and a terminal to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo per year, with future expansions to boost capacity.
Mexico City Texcoco Airport (NAIM), Mexico
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This project was intended to be a showcase for Mexico, but was cancelled in 2018 after major political and environmental opposition. However, the construction had already begun. Its design included six runways and one of the world’s largest terminal roofs, with a budget of approximately $13.3 billion.
Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok)
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Hong Kong International Airport, built on reclaimed land at Chek Lap Kok, opened in 1998 after a $20 billion investment that included major transport links and bridges. It has since expanded with a third runway and upgraded terminals, helping Hong Kong maintain its position as one of Asia’s leading aviation centers.
Kansai International Airport (Osaka, Japan)
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Kansai was built entirely on an artificial island, an engineering challenge that drove the construction cost to over $20 billion. The airport has struggled with ground settlement over time, but it remains a key entry point for Japan and a symbol of the country’s large-scale infrastructure ambitions.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok, Thailand)
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Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport cost around $5 billion to build, and billions more have been invested in upgrades. It serves as Thailand’s primary international gateway, handling tens of millions of passengers annually. Expansion plans include the addition of more terminals and runways to meet future demand.
John F. Kennedy Airport Redevelopment (New York, USA)
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New York’s JFK Airport is getting a $19 billion makeover, one of the biggest in its history. Instead of one massive terminal, the project is rebuilding and expanding several, including Terminals 1, 4, 6, and 8. There is only one goal, and that is to make travel easier for everyone by using modern design and faster connections.
Heathrow Airport Expansion (London, UK)
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Heathrow’s long-planned third runway is on the table. The plan includes new runways, terminal upgrades, and better road and rail links. Despite years of environmental debates and delays, it remains a key part of the UK’s aviation vision for the future. The cost could equal as much as £49 billion ($65 billion) in 2025.
Washington Dulles Airport Expansion (Virginia, USA)
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Between 1999 and 2010, Dulles went through a $5 billion transformation. The upgrades brought in the AeroTrain system, new concourses, and improved facilities. These changes helped turn Dulles into one of the most efficient and passenger-friendly airports in the eastern United States.
Otay Mesa Metropolitan Airpark (San Diego, USA)
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This ongoing project, estimated at $1 billion, combines airport facilities with a commercial business park. It’s designed for private and cargo flights and aims to boost cross-border trade near the U.S.–Mexico border once fully operational.
Jewel Changi Airport (Singapore)
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Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore connects terminals 1, 2, and 3 through a massive glass structure filled with gardens, shops, and public spaces for travelers and locals alike. It reshaped the idea of what an airport can be—part transit hub, part attraction. The project cost about $1.3 billion.
New Gwadar International Airport (Gwadar, Pakistan)
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The $246 million Gwadar Airport was funded through China’s Belt and Road program, and it became fully operational in January 2025. It can handle large aircraft, such as Boeing 747s, and supports Gwadar’s growing port and trade activities along the Arabian Sea.
Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport (China)
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Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport is being built offshore on reclaimed land and will replace the city’s existing airport once finished. The $4.3 billion project highlights China’s push for large-scale coastal infrastructure and aims to strengthen regional connectivity as part of the country’s broader economic development strategy.