Ruth Haines
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to be replaced by Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) by 2035. The new airport will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport and will be able to accommodate 260 million passengers annually. With the transition to DWC, DXB will likely be closed as it will be too complex to operate two airports. However, there are speculations that DXB could be kept as a backup or transformed into a terminal for Emirates and local UAE trips.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current status of DXB airport | Functioning as the "primary hub" for over 100 million travellers |
| Transition to DWC | Will begin shortly, with a full transition expected to take 10 years |
| DWC capacity | 260 million passengers annually, 400 gates, five runways |
| DXB fate | Likely to close once operations are fully transferred to DWC |
| DXB age | Opened in September 1960 |
| DWC investment | AED128 billion ($34.8 billion) |
| DWC location | 20 miles south-west of downtown Dubai |
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What You'll Learn
- DXB will close once operations are fully transferred to DWC
- DWC will become the world's largest airport
- DXB will continue to function as the primary hub until the transition
- The transition will begin shortly, according to the airport operator's chief executive
- DXB will be decommissioned due to the high operational complexity of running two airports
DXB will close once operations are fully transferred to DWC
DXB, which opened in September 1960, has been ranked as the world's top airport for international passenger numbers for 10 consecutive years. In 2023, the hub's traffic was expected to surpass 88.8 million travellers. However, many of the assets at the airport will become outdated over the next decade, making it more sensible for DXB to close rather than replace them.
DWC, located 20 miles southwest of downtown Dubai, will become the world's largest and busiest airport once fully operational. The new airport will be five times the size of DXB, with a capacity of 260 million passengers annually. The expansion will include 400 gates, five parallel runways, and new aviation technology.
The transition to DWC will be gradual, with the airport operator's chief executive stating that only about 30 million passengers will be moved to the new airport before the opening of the second phase. This will allow for continued growth in the same place with a state-of-the-art facility. Dubai Airports has also emphasised its commitment to sustainability, which will be embedded in the design and construction of the new terminal.
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DWC will become the world's largest airport
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to be superseded by Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in the coming years. The transition from DXB to DWC is expected to take place by 2034 or 2035, and during this period, DXB will continue to serve as the "primary hub", meeting the needs of over 100 million travellers annually.
The new DWC airport, located 20 miles southwest of downtown Dubai, will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport, spanning 70 square kilometres. With a capacity of 260 million passengers annually, it will become the world's largest and busiest airport in terms of passengers, cargo, and aircraft movements. The airport will feature 400 gates, five parallel runways, and new aviation technology, including an "automated people mover system" and an "integrated landside transport hub" for roads, metro, and city air transport.
The development of DWC into a global gateway has long been planned, reflecting the correlation between the UAE's economic expansion and the growth of Dubai's aviation sector. The project is unparalleled in scale and complexity, with Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths, stating that by the time they are prepared to transition to DWC, they will be managing more than 120 million passengers annually and accommodating more than 100 international carriers operating 1,200 to 1,400 flights daily at DXB.
The construction of the new terminal at DWC has begun, with a cost of Dh128 billion (AED128 bn or $34.8 bn). The airport is also at the heart of the 145 square kilometre aerotropolis – Dubai South, which will be developed in phases to include residential and commercial areas. The transition to DWC will allow for further growth, with the potential to accommodate 60 million more passengers than the current capacity.
Once DWC becomes fully operational, DXB is likely to close due to the high operational complexity of managing two airports and the age of its assets. The closure of DXB will mark the end of an era for the airport, which first opened in September 1960.
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DXB will continue to function as the primary hub until the transition
DXB, or Dubai International Airport, will continue to function as the primary aviation hub in Dubai for the next decade. This is despite the expansion of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and the transition of operations from DXB to DWC. DXB is ranked as the world's top airport for international passenger numbers, with its traffic expected to surpass 88.8 million travellers in 2024. The airport has three terminals, three concourses, two cargo mega terminals, an airport-free zone, an expo centre, a major aircraft maintenance hub, and a flower centre.
Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths, has confirmed that the transition of operations to DWC will take place by 2034. He has stated that by the time they are prepared to transition to DWC, they expect to be managing more than 120 million passengers annually and accommodating more than 100 international carriers operating 1,200 to 1,400 flights a day at DXB. The expansion of DWC will lead to it superseding DXB and becoming the world's largest and busiest airport in terms of passengers, cargo, and aircraft movements.
DXB, which first opened in September 1960, has undergone significant upgrades over the years. In 2013, Dubai Airports announced an 80-day runway refurbishment program that included resurfacing the northern runway and upgrading lighting and building additional taxiways on the southern runway. In 2019, the southern runway was closed again for complete resurfacing and replacement of airfield lighting and supporting infrastructure. Dubai Airport has also invested in new terminals, enlarged gate holdrooms, new finger piers, an enlarged runway, new airbridges, and extended baggage belt carousels.
DXB has also invested substantially in biometric technologies, with a focus on AI revolutionising airport operations in the future. Additionally, Dubai Airports has emphasised its commitment to sustainability, which will be embedded in the design and construction of the new terminal, with energy efficiency, waste reduction, and eco-friendly initiatives being key considerations.
As the transition to DWC takes place, DXB will continue to serve the needs of over 100 million travellers, ensuring a seamless and efficient travel experience.
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The transition will begin shortly, according to the airport operator's chief executive
Dubai International Airport (DXB) will be shutting down once the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is completed. The transition from DXB to DWC will begin shortly, according to the airport operator's chief executive.
The CEO of Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, has stated that there will be "no business case" to keep both airports open. The assets at DXB, which first opened in September 1960, will become outdated over the next decade, making it more sensible for the airport to close rather than be replaced.
DXB will continue to function as the "'primary hub" in the meantime, serving over 100 million travellers annually. The airport has been ranked as the world's top airport for international passenger numbers for ten consecutive years, with its traffic expected to surpass 88.8 million travellers in 2024.
The DWC expansion is expected to cost Dh128 billion and will increase passenger capacity to 260 million annually, making it the world's largest and busiest airport. The new airport will feature 400 gates, five parallel runways, and new aviation technology. It will fully absorb the operations of DXB within ten years, by 2034 or 2035.
The transition to DWC is part of Dubai's plan to develop a global gateway and set a benchmark in the global aviation industry. The airport will be at the heart of an aerotropolis – Dubai South, which will feature a mix of residential and commercial areas. Dubai Airports has also emphasised its commitment to sustainability, which will be embedded in the design and construction of the new terminal.
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DXB will be decommissioned due to the high operational complexity of running two airports
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to be decommissioned due to the high operational complexity of running two airports in the city. The transition of operations from DXB to Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) has been described as a project "unparalleled in scale and complexity" by Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths.
DXB, located in Al Garhoud, first opened in September 1960 and has since undergone numerous upgrades and expansions. In 2013, a refurbishment program was carried out, which included resurfacing the northern runway and upgrading lighting and infrastructure on the southern runway. With a history spanning over six decades, DXB has served as a vital hub for international travel, ranking as the world's top airport for international passenger numbers for ten consecutive years, from 2013 to 2023.
However, with the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, DXB will eventually be replaced as the primary hub for Dubai's aviation needs. The new airport, located 20 miles southwest of downtown Dubai, is set to become the world's largest and busiest airport, with a capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers annually. The expansion includes a Dh128-billion terminal, 400 gates, five parallel runways, and new aviation technology.
The decision to decommission DXB is driven by operational complexities and economic considerations. According to Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, "there will be no business case" to keep both airports running once DWC is fully operational. The proximity of DWC to the city and the development of an entire city around the airport, known as Dubai South, will make it the preferred option for travellers.
The transition from DXB to DWC is expected to take place over ten years, with a complete transfer of operations by 2034 or 2035. During this period, DXB will continue to serve as the primary hub, accommodating over 100 million travellers annually. The gradual transition will allow for a seamless shift in operations, ensuring that Dubai's aviation sector remains a benchmark in the global aviation industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, DXB airport will be decommissioned once the new Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is fully operational. The transition of operations from DXB to DWC will begin shortly, with the latter set to become the world's largest and busiest airport.
The new airport is expected to be fully operational by 2035, with the transition of operations from DXB to take place over 10 years.
There are a few suggestions for the use of the old airport, including as a private airport for the royal air wing and VVIPs, or as a backup in case of any flood or natural disaster. Another suggestion is to keep it as an exclusive airport for FlyDubai.
The new airport will feature 400 gates, five parallel runways, and new aviation technology. It will be five times the size of the current Dubai International Airport and will be able to accommodate 260 million passengers annually.
