The operators of both airports have confirmed that all services at DXB will transition to DWC, which is expected to fully absorb operations within the next 10 years.
DXB to Be Decommissioned After Full Launch of Al Maktoum International Airport, Says Dubai Airports CEO
Dubai International Airport (DXB) will eventually be phased out once the Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) becomes fully functional, according to Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths, who shared this update during the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) this week.
“The current strategy is to transition all operations to DWC once its capacity reaches the level needed to handle the full shift. At that point, every service currently operating from DXB will be moved to DWC,” Griffiths stated.
He emphasized that managing two major aviation hubs in such close proximity does not make logistical or financial sense. This comment was highlighted in a report by Skift.
Since opening its doors in 1960, DXB has grown into one of the world’s busiest airports, serving over 92 million passengers in 2023 alone.
Griffiths also pointed out that by the time DWC is fully ready, the infrastructure at DXB will likely be approaching the end of its operational lifespan.
“Every facility and system at DXB will be nearing obsolescence by then, making it economically unfeasible to keep it running without a massive reinvestment,” he added.
DWC to Take Over DXB’s Role Within the Next Decade
Officials from Dubai’s aviation sector have confirmed that DWC is expected to take over all flight and passenger operations from DXB within the coming 10 years.
Griffiths noted that once the transition is complete, the land currently occupied by DXB could be repurposed for urban development.
“We’re very close to Sharjah in the north, so this transition will help expand the city more effectively and possibly ease some of the traffic congestion we currently face,” he explained.
In April 2024, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum — Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai — approved the blueprint for a new passenger terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport, with an investment of AED 128 billion.
The upgraded DWC is set to offer the highest passenger capacity in the world, targeting up to 260 million travelers annually.
According to Sheikh Mohammed, the airport will be five times larger than the existing Dubai International Airport. Over time, all existing operations at DXB will be relocated to DWC.
“The airport will house 400 aircraft gates and include five parallel runways, incorporating next-generation aviation technology not previously seen in the industry,” Sheikh Mohammed said.
The entire project will span across a massive 70-square-kilometre site in Dubai South.
Underground Transit System to Improve Passenger Mobility
As reported by Khaleej Times, Griffiths also disclosed that DWC will feature an extensive underground train network to make passenger transit across the large site smoother and faster.
“This train system will be fully integrated and designed to significantly cut down walking times,” he said.
“The airport’s size means travel within the site could take up to 20 minutes, so we’re aiming to create a fast, comfortable, and efficient transport solution for transferring passengers.”
Griffiths mentioned that the design team at DXB had reviewed multiple concepts and determined that a seated rail system would be most effective, with journey durations estimated between 15 and 20 minutes.
