Key Takeaways
• Dubai International Airport will close by 2035; all flights move to expanded Al Maktoum Airport.
• Al Maktoum Airport will handle 260 million passengers yearly with five runways and 400 gates.
• DXB land will be redeveloped into a green, mixed-use district, easing city traffic issues.
Dubai’s Bold Airport Shift: What the Move from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport Means by 2035
Dubai has announced a major change that will affect millions of travelers, workers, and businesses around the world. By 2035, Dubai International Airport (DXB)—the world’s busiest airport for international passengers—will close its doors. All flights and airport operations will move to the much larger Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), which is currently being expanded to become the world’s biggest aviation hub. This decision is not just about airports; it’s about how Dubai 🇦🇪 is planning for its future, its economy, and its place in global travel.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for travelers, workers, airlines, and the city itself.
Why Is Dubai Closing Its Main Airport?
Who is making this decision?
Dubai’s government and airport authorities, led by Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, are behind this move.
What is happening?
Dubai International Airport, known as DXB, will close by 2035. All flights and airport activities will move to Al Maktoum International Airport, also called DWC.
When will this happen?
The full move will happen gradually, starting with the first phase of DWC’s expansion finishing by 2032. DXB will close completely by 2035.
Where is this happening?
Both airports are in Dubai 🇦🇪, but DWC is about 38 miles (45 kilometers) away from the current DXB site.
Why is this happening?
There are several reasons:
- DXB is running out of space. The airport is surrounded by homes and highways, so it can’t grow any bigger.
- DXB is at full capacity. In 2024, DXB handled 92.3 million passengers, which is more than it was built for.
- Dubai wants to grow. The city expects more tourists and business travelers in the future, and needs a bigger airport to handle them.
- Urban planning. The new airport will be part of a huge new area called “Aviation City,” which will include homes, offices, and more.
How will this happen?
The move will be done in steps. First, DWC will be expanded. Then, airlines and flights will slowly move over. Finally, DXB will close, and the land will be used for new city projects.
The Scale of the Project: Building the World’s Largest Airport
Dubai is not just moving to a new airport—it’s building the biggest airport the world has ever seen. The expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport is a $35 billion (£28 billion) project. Here’s what makes it so huge:
- Five parallel runways (DXB only has two)
- 400 aircraft gates (places for planes to park and load/unload)
- Capacity for 260 million passengers every year
- Ability to handle 12 million tonnes of cargo each year
- Covers about 70 square kilometers (five times the size of DXB)
- Cutting-edge technology for faster, safer, and more comfortable travel
When finished, DWC will be the world’s largest airport by size and passenger numbers. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this move will keep Dubai 🇦🇪 at the center of global air travel for decades to come.
What Will Happen to the Old DXB Site?
Once DXB closes, the land—about 29 square kilometers—will be redeveloped. This is prime real estate in the heart of Dubai 🇦🇪. Paul Griffiths, the airport CEO, says the area could help “spread the city out and potentially ease current traffic challenges.” Real estate companies are already interested in building new homes, offices, parks, and shops there.
Experts like Dr. Rana Shakaa from the American University of Sharjah say the redevelopment should:
- Be based on real data about what Dubai 🇦🇪 needs in the future
- Focus on being environmentally friendly (low-carbon)
- Mix homes, offices, and shops together (mixed-use)
- Use technology to make life better and greener
- Respect the history of the old airport
This means the old airport land could become a new, modern part of Dubai 🇦🇪, with a focus on sustainability and quality of life.
How Will This Affect Airlines and Passengers?
Airlines
- Emirates: Dubai’s flagship airline, which handles more than half of all DXB passengers, will move its huge operations to DWC.
- Flydubai: Another major airline, handling 13% of DXB’s passengers, will also move to the new airport.
- Other airlines: Over 100 airlines currently use DXB. All will need to switch to DWC.
This is a massive job. Airlines will need to move their staff, equipment, and systems. They’ll also need to train workers for the new airport and help passengers adjust to the change.
Passengers
- International travelers: For the millions who fly through Dubai 🇦🇪 each year, including about 17,000 people from the UK every day, flights will land at DWC instead of DXB.
- Getting to the city: DWC is farther from downtown Dubai 🇦🇪 than DXB. But the government is planning new expressways and high-speed trains to make it easy to get to and from the airport.
- Better experience: The new airport will have more space, faster check-ins, and the latest technology to make travel smoother.
Economic and Urban Impact
The move from DXB to DWC is not just about planes and passengers. It will change Dubai’s 🇦🇪 economy and city life in big ways.
- Jobs: DXB now supports over 400,000 jobs. The new airport and Aviation City will create even more jobs, especially in construction, airlines, hotels, and logistics.
- Money: DXB adds about $26.7 billion to Dubai’s 🇦🇪 economy each year—about 27% of the city’s total. The new airport is expected to bring in even more.
- New homes: Aviation City, the area around DWC, will need homes for up to one million people.
- Business growth: The project will attract top companies in shipping, air transport, and technology, helping Dubai 🇦🇪 diversify its economy.
Timeline: How and When Will the Change Happen?
Here’s a simple breakdown of the key dates:
- 2024-2032: Building and expanding Al Maktoum International Airport
- 2032: First phase of DWC expansion finished
- 2032-2035: Airlines and flights move from DXB to DWC in steps
- 2035: DXB closes for good
- After 2035: DWC keeps growing, with more buildings and services added into the 2050s
This timeline gives everyone—airlines, workers, and travelers—time to get ready for the change.
What Does This Mean for Immigration and International Travel?
Dubai International Airport is a major gateway for people moving to, from, or through Dubai 🇦🇪. The move to Al Maktoum International Airport will affect:
- Visa processing: Immigration counters and visa services will move to the new airport. Travelers should check which airport their visa or entry stamp is linked to, especially during the transition period.
- Transit passengers: Many people use Dubai 🇦🇪 as a stopover between flights. The new airport will be designed for quick and easy transfers.
- Work and residency: Many airport workers and airline staff are immigrants. They will need to move their jobs, and possibly their homes, closer to DWC.
- Family visits and tourism: With more flights and bigger capacity, it may become easier for families to visit Dubai 🇦🇪 or for tourists to get visas and flights.
For the latest information on Dubai 🇦🇪 visa and immigration rules, travelers can visit the official UAE government portal.
Background: How Did Dubai Become a Global Aviation Hub?
Dubai International Airport opened in 1960. Back then, it was a small airport in a growing city. Over the years, it expanded many times, adding new terminals and runways. Emirates airline, launched in 1985, helped make Dubai 🇦🇪 a key link between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Some important milestones:
- Terminal 3: Built for Emirates, it’s the largest airport terminal in the world.
- Over 270 destinations: DXB connects to cities on every inhabited continent.
- Cargo and logistics: Dubai 🇦🇪 is a major center for shipping goods by air.
Al Maktoum International Airport opened in 2010, mainly for cargo flights. Now, it’s being expanded to take over all passenger flights and become the heart of Dubai’s 🇦🇪 aviation future.
What Are the Challenges and Opportunities?
Challenges
- Moving everything: Shifting all flights, staff, and services from DXB to DWC is a huge task.
- Transport links: DWC is farther from the city center, so new roads and trains are needed.
- Cost: The project costs $35 billion, so it must deliver real benefits for Dubai 🇦🇪.
- Environmental impact: Building a giant new airport and city must be done in a way that protects the environment.
Opportunities
- Room to grow: DWC can handle more passengers and flights than DXB ever could.
- Better experience: New technology will make travel faster and more comfortable.
- Economic growth: More jobs, more business, and more visitors mean a stronger economy.
- Modern city planning: The new Aviation City can be designed for the future, with green spaces, smart technology, and mixed-use buildings.
What Should Travelers and Workers Do Now?
If you travel to or through Dubai 🇦🇪, or work in the aviation industry, here’s what you can do:
- Stay informed: Check your airline’s website and Dubai Airports for updates about which airport your flight will use, especially as 2035 approaches.
- Plan for changes: If you work at DXB, talk to your employer about plans to move to DWC. If you’re moving to Dubai 🇦🇪 for work, consider where you’ll live and how you’ll get to the new airport.
- Check visa rules: Make sure you know which airport your visa or entry stamp is linked to, especially during the transition period.
- Watch for new opportunities: The move will create new jobs in construction, airlines, hotels, and more.
Expert Opinions: What Do Planners and Aviation Experts Say?
Dr. Rana Shakaa, an urban planning professor, says the redevelopment of the DXB site should be based on real data about Dubai’s 🇦🇪 changing needs. She wants the new district to be green, mixed-use, and focused on making life better for everyone.
Aviation experts agree that the move is about more than just a new airport. It’s a way for Dubai 🇦🇪 to stay ahead in global travel, keep growing, and offer better experiences for travelers and businesses.
Looking Ahead: Dubai’s Vision for 2035 and Beyond
Dubai’s 🇦🇪 decision to close its world-famous airport and build an even bigger one is bold. It shows the city’s confidence in its future as a global center for travel, business, and innovation. The move to Al Maktoum International Airport will bring challenges, but also huge opportunities for growth, jobs, and better quality of life.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this transition is one of the largest aviation projects ever and will shape how people travel to, from, and through Dubai 🇦🇪 for generations. Whether you’re a traveler, a worker, or a business owner, it’s important to stay updated and get ready for the changes coming by 2035.
For more details on Dubai’s 🇦🇪 airport plans and immigration updates, visit the official UAE government portal.
Key Takeaways:
– Dubai International Airport will close by 2035, with all flights moving to Al Maktoum International Airport.
– The new airport will be the world’s largest, with room for 260 million passengers a year.
– The move will affect travelers, workers, airlines, and the city’s economy.
– The old airport land will be redeveloped into a modern, green, mixed-use district.
– Travelers and workers should stay informed and plan ahead for the changes.
Dubai 🇦🇪 is once again showing the world how to think big and plan for the future of travel and immigration.
Learn Today
Dubai International Airport (DXB) → Dubai’s primary airport, currently the world’s busiest for international passengers, closing by 2035.
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) → Dubai’s larger new airport, expanding to be the world’s biggest aviation hub with massive capacity.
Aviation City → A new urban development surrounding DWC, blending residences, offices, and transport infrastructure.
Capacity → The maximum number of passengers or cargo an airport can handle annually.
Visa processing → Immigration services for travelers entering or transiting through an airport.
This Article in a Nutshell
Dubai plans to close Dubai International Airport by 2035, shifting all flights to the gigantic Al Maktoum Airport. This $35 billion project aims to expand capacity, improve travel, and redevelop DXB’s land while maintaining Dubai’s global aviation leadership into the future.
— By VisaVerge.com
