Dubai airport closure paves the way for new aviation hub expansion

Dubai, a major hub for international aviation, is undergoing a significant transformation as it shifts operations from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). This transition was announced by Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports, highlighting that the existing airport, DXB, which opened in 1960, is nearing the end of its operational usefulness due to increasing pressures from passenger volumes and spatial constraints. Currently the world's busiest airport by international passenger traffic, DXB welcomed a record 92.3 million travelers in 2024, creating a need for more capacity that DXB cannot accommodate due to surrounding residential areas and major highways. In response to these challenges, UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum revealed a long-term plan to move civic aviation operations to DWC, which has been underutilized since its opening in 2010, primarily serving cargo operations over the past 15 years. DWC's planned expansion will transform it into a major hub with five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, capable of processing 260 million passengers annually, significantly more than DXB's current capacity. However, the full realization of this vision will be gradual, with the completion of the new terminal not expected until 2032 and further expansion work continuing into the 2050s. In the interim, DXB remains the primary aviation hub for several airlines, including British Airways and Emirates, offering flight routes from the UK. The gradual transfer of operations to Al Maktoum International Airport is aimed at optimizing the aviation landscape in Dubai and addressing future demands while the area around the current airport is likely to be redeveloped for real estate purposes. This reflects a broader trend in global aviation where major hubs are evolving to meet growing passenger needs, with Dubai setting a precedent for infrastructural shifts in the region.