Busiest International Airport in the World to Close By 2035

4 godzin temu

DUBAI- Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest international airport, is preparing for a historic transition. The UAE’s main air hub, which served a record 92.3 million passengers in 2024, will eventually shut down operations.

All services at DXB will be transferred to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), located in Dubai World Central, as part of a massive £28 billion expansion plan aimed at handling up to 260 million passengers annually.

World’s Busiest Airport to Close by 2025

Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest airport, has long been a cornerstone of global air travel, particularly for long-haul routes.

Established in 1960, DXB quickly grew into the busiest international airport in the world, with high passenger volumes year-round and strong connectivity through Emirates (EK).

However, the airport’s location, surrounded by highways and residential zones, has left little room for significant growth.

The decision to eventually transition all operations to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) marks a new chapter in Dubai’s aviation strategy.

Located approximately 38 miles from DXB and 22 miles from downtown Dubai, DWC opened in 2010 with limited services focused on cargo and a few low-cost passenger routes, including some EasyJet (U2) operations.

Despite its early limited use, DWC is now positioned to become the largest airport in the world.

According to Daily Mail, DXB remains the global leader for international passenger traffic but is expected to wind down by 2050 as new infrastructure comes online at DWC.

Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, stated that operating two major airports in close proximity lacks long-term viability.

“By then, every single asset at DXB will be close to the end of its useful operating role,” he said during the Arabian Travel Market conference.

Al Maktoum Features

DWC’s design prioritizes efficiency and passenger experience. The 70 sq.km airport will operate as a cluster of eight smaller terminals, with concourses extending like “a pair of arms” to accommodate future growth.

An underground train network will reduce internal transit times to 15 to 20 minutes, comparable to major urban rail systems.

Technologies like contactless check-in, seamless baggage handling, and biometric immigration will make DWC a “technological marvel,” according to Dubai Airports.

Its proximity to Dubai South’s master-planned city is expected to create jobs and housing for up to one million people, boosting sectors like construction, tourism, and logistics.

The DWC expansion project is among the most ambitious in aviation history. When complete, the airport will feature five parallel runways and up to 400 aircraft gates.

Its planned capacity of 260 million passengers annually would be unmatched globally.

DWC’s development timeline is phased. The new terminal is expected to open by 2032, with full expansion continuing into the 2050s.

The scale of this project reflects Dubai’s intent to solidify its status as a global aviation and logistics hub for decades to come.

The transition aligns with broader efforts by the UAE to decentralize aviation activity and accommodate the country’s rapidly growing tourism and transport sectors.

Impact on Travelers and Airlines

For now, DXB remains Dubai’s primary hub, with airlines like Emirates (EK) and British Airways (BA) continuing popular UK routes.

The transition to DWC will be gradual, with no disruptions expected for at least a decade.

However, the shift will impact global carriers using DXB as a central hub, potentially rivaling mega airports in Istanbul, Doha, and Singapore.

UK travelers, who make up a significant portion of Dubai’s 6.2 million daily visitors, will need to adjust to DWC’s location, 45 kilometers south of the city, though improved infrastructure will ensure accessibility.

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News

Emirates to Get New $35Bn International Hub at Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport

The post Busiest International Airport in the World to Close By 2035 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.

Idź do oryginalnego materiału