An expansion of Dubai's Al Maktoum International, currently the second largest airport in the emirate, has been delayed by a year to 2018, said a report citing the airport's operator.

On completion of the work next year, the airport will boast an annual capacity of 26 million passengers, reported Reuters.

The Dubai government had recently announced that it had secured $3 billion in long-term financing for expansion of its airports, which are forecast to serve 146.3 million passengers by 2025, said the report.

Al Maktoum International is being gradually ramped up to take over from Dubai International Airport, currently the world's busiest and home to Dubai carrier Emirates.