Aviation News
Dubai International Airport (DXB), which has been in operation since 1960, is scheduled for closure in 2035. All airport operations will be relocated to the newly upgraded Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), a project backed by an estimated $38 billion investment. Once the upgrade is complete, DWC will have the capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers annually. This transition marks a major shift in regional air travel, as Dubai prepares to consolidate its aviation infrastructure.
DWC Upgrade Project
The DWC modernization plan includes the construction of:
- five parallel runways;
- up to 400 aircraft gates.
The primary relocation of operations from DXB to DWC is expected to begin around 2032, with the full project completion targeted for 2057. One key reason for closing DXB is its location, hemmed in by highways and residential areas, which makes further expansion and operation increasingly difficult.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, stated: 'We will transfer absolutely all services to DWC. By that time, virtually all of DXB’s infrastructure will be nearing the end of its operational life, so keeping the airport open will be economically unviable without massive investment.'
The new airport is also planned to integrate with the Etihad Rail high-speed railway, cutting travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to roughly 30 minutes. The operational shift will affect flights operated by Emirates and flydubai. Under the current plans, DWC is set to become the region’s new aviation hub, driving a significant increase in passenger traffic in the coming years.
The closure of Dubai International Airport and the transfer of its functions to the new Al Maktoum International Airport mark a pivotal moment in the evolution of the UAE’s aviation infrastructure. With cutting-edge technology and substantial investment, the new airport aims not only to boost passenger handling capacity but also to enhance regional transport connectivity. This project has the potential to reshape air travel dynamics across the Middle East, influencing the country’s economic growth in the process.