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Dubai's Decision to Shut Down Its Central Airport: The Explanation

In a significant development for global air travel, Dubai has officially announced its long-term plan to close Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world's busiest airport for international passenger traffic, and consolidate all operations at the rapidly expanding Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

This strategic move, confirmed by Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths at the Arabian Travel Market last week, is part of an ambitious vision to create a mega-aviation hub at DWC, ultimately making it five times the size of the current DXB. The decision comes as DXB, constrained by surrounding urban development, faces limitations in further expansion despite handling a record 92.3 million passengers in 2024.

Dubai's Decision to Shut Down Its Central Airport: The Explanation
Dubai's Decision to Shut Down Its Central Airport: The Explanation

The transition to DWC, located approximately 45 kilometers south of DXB, will be a phased process unfolding over the coming decades. The new passenger terminal at DWC is expected to open around 2032, with the entire expansion project potentially continuing into the 2050s. Once fully complete, DWC will boast five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates, capable of handling an astounding 260 million passengers annually.

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While the complete transition is years away, the announcement signals a major shift in Dubai's aviation strategy. DXB, which first opened in 1960, will continue to operate as the primary airport for the foreseeable future, with ongoing upgrades to maintain its world-class status until the full transfer of services.

Key points of the transition:

  • Long-term plan: DXB will eventually close, with all services moving to DWC.
  • Capacity increase: Expanded DWC will handle up to 260 million passengers annually, five times the size of DXB.
  • Phased transition: The move will occur gradually over the coming decades.
  • DWC Expansion: The new terminal is expected to open around 2032, with full expansion continuing into the 2050s.
  • DXB Redevelopment: The land occupied by DXB is likely to be redeveloped for real estate and commercial purposes.

This development is poised to have significant implications for international airlines, logistics, and the millions of passengers who travel through Dubai each year. While the immediate impact on travelers is minimal, the long-term vision will solidify Dubai's position as a dominant force in global aviation for generations to come.

Note: It's important to distinguish this long-term strategic closure from any temporary closures for maintenance. Currently, there are no reports of an immediate shutdown of Dubai International Airport (DXB). However, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) did undergo planned runway maintenance in April 2025, which temporarily affected operations there.

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