Officials at Dubai International Airport claim they expect to handle 98.5 million passengers annually by the year 2020.

Though Dubai is currently the fourth busiest airport for international passengers, CEO Paul Griffiths expects the hub to knock London’s Heathrow Airport from the top spot within four to five years, according to a recent AP report.

Rapid growth by Dubai-based airlines like Emirates and FlyDubai seems to bolster Griffiths’ bold predictions. 

Dubai is also in the midst of building a second airport, Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International, which will begin receiving passengers sometime in 2012. Upon opening, the airport will reportedly be able to handle a staggering 160 million travelers each year.   

Source: USA Today