Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest international airport, is set to permanently close its operations after more than 85 years. By 2035, all activities at DXB will shift to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), currently undergoing a significant £28 billion makeover to become the largest aviation hub globally.
This transition will involve transferring all flights and services, including those of major Dubai-based airlines Emirates and flydubai, from DXB to DWC. Upon completion, the Dubai World Central airport is projected to handle up to 260 million passengers annually, solidifying its position as the world’s largest airport.
The decision to consolidate operations at DWC is part of the country’s strategy to dominate global air travel and logistics. The expansion plans for Al Maktoum International Airport include the construction of five parallel runways and up to 400 aircraft gates.
Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), the infrastructure developer for Dubai’s aviation sector, envisions a future for DWC with state-of-the-art smart airport systems and passenger-centric facilities, focusing on delivering a seamless and comfortable travel experience worldwide.
Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths, emphasized the rationale behind the closure, stating that maintaining two major hubs in close proximity would not be economically viable. The constraints of DXB being surrounded by major highways and residential areas have limited its growth potential, necessitating the move to DWC.
The transition to DWC is expected to commence around 2032, with the entire project projected to conclude by 2057. DWC will also integrate with the upcoming Etihad Rail High-Speed Rail network, aiming to reduce travel times between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to just 30 minutes.
