Dubai is about to rewrite aviation history. Every single service currently operating from Dubai International Airport (DXB) will officially relocate to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) — known as Dubai World Central — by 2032. The DXB move to Al Maktoum is no small feat.
This strategic transition marks one of the largest infrastructure projects in global aviation and reflects Dubai’s ongoing ambition to maintain its title as the world’s most connected city.
Why the DXB Move to Al Maktoum Is Happening
According to Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths, DXB is nearing its operational limit. Passenger volumes are projected to surpass 100 million annually within two years, and the airport’s absolute ceiling of 115 million passengers is expected to be reached by 2031.
“By the end of 2031, passenger numbers are anticipated to approach 115 million, and by 2032, operations will transition to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) to accommodate around 124 million passengers,” Griffiths confirmed.
Once the transfer begins, Dubai’s air traffic will gradually move south towards Dubai South, where a Dhs128 billion megaproject is transforming Al Maktoum International into the largest airport ever built — capable of accommodating 260 million passengers per year.
The Scale of the Al Maktoum International Megaproject
The expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport is staggering in both ambition and design.
- Five parallel runways for simultaneous take-offs and landings
- Over 400 aircraft gates
- A dedicated logistics city for cargo and supply chain operations
- Integration with Dubai Metro extensions and the Etihad Rail network
- Smart infrastructure powered by AI and autonomous transport
When completed, it will eclipse airports in Atlanta, Beijing, and Istanbul in both footprint and passenger volume.
📆 Timeline: The Road to 2032
| Year | Milestone | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dubai Airshow showcases new DWC development phase | Infrastructure announcements |
| 2027 | Additional runway and terminal expansion | Capacity testing |
| 2030 | DXB exceeds 110 million passengers | Slot allocation review |
| 2031 | DXB reaches full capacity (115 million) | Airline migration planning |
| 2032 | Full operations transfer from DXB to DWC | Official relocation |
| 2050s | Completion of final megaproject phase | Full capacity 260 million |
This structured migration ensures there’s no operational disruption during the handover. Airlines will phase their moves to DWC as new capacity becomes available.
Economic Impact: Building the World’s New Aviation Capital
The DXB move to Al Maktoum is more than just an airport expansion — it’s an economic strategy.
The project will:
- Inject Dhs128 billion directly into Dubai’s economy
- Create tens of thousands of jobs across construction, aviation, and hospitality
- Stimulate real estate growth in Dubai South and Jebel Ali
- Cement Dubai’s role as a global trade and tourism hub for the next century
It also aligns with the UAE’s wider strategy to decentralise growth away from the northern corridor near Sharjah and expand the emirate’s footprint southward.
Traveller Experience: What This Move Means for You
For passengers, the move to Al Maktoum International will redefine the experience of flying through Dubai.
- Easier check-in and transfer: next-gen biometric systems for passport-free movement.
- Less congestion: with five runways, aircraft taxi times drop dramatically.
- Luxury travel upgrades: more lounges, boutique hotels, and fine-dining options inside terminals.
- Improved access: future Metro and Etihad Rail links connecting Dubai Marina and Expo City directly to DWC.
While DXB will continue normal operations until the early 2030s, many low-cost and regional carriers will start moving sooner — potentially giving passengers a taste of the new facilities as early as 2027–2028.
What Happens to DXB After the Move?
When all flights finally depart DXB, the future of the site will become one of Dubai’s most valuable real-estate stories.
At the Arabian Travel Market 2025, Paul Griffiths hinted that “there’s little sense in operating two major airport hubs within 70 kilometres of each other.”
By 2032, DXB’s infrastructure will be approaching the end of its serviceable life, meaning refurbishment costs could outweigh benefits.
Although no redevelopment plan has been officially announced, multiple Dubai developers have expressed interest in transforming the area into a mixed-use urban zone — possibly combining residential, commercial, and entertainment spaces similar to the Kai Tak redevelopment in Hong Kong.
Why Dubai South Is the Chosen Hub
Located near Expo City Dubai and Jebel Ali Port, Dubai South offers unmatched logistical potential.
The district already houses major projects like:
- Expo Village residential zones
- Dubai Logistics City
- Aviation District headquarters
- Luxury hospitality and business parks
Griffiths noted,
“That’s where the growth of Dubai will be. Moving south spreads the city out and actually makes it easier for traffic and expansion.”
With major transport corridors already in place, the DXB move to Al Maktoum will transform Dubai South into a living, breathing aviation city.
Global Context: How Dubai’s Move Compares
When complete, the DXB-to-DWC migration will join the ranks of the largest airport relocations in modern history — alongside Hong Kong’s Kai Tak, Berlin Brandenburg’s consolidation, and Istanbul’s 2019 move.
The difference? Dubai’s version is bigger, faster, and privately financed.
Its efficiency and execution will likely set a new global benchmark for how megacities manage air-traffic transitions.
Looking Ahead: The Next Era of Flight
By the 2050s, Al Maktoum International Airport will be not just a hub — but an ecosystem:
a connected smart city powered by AI, renewable energy, and data-driven operations.
From the desert south of Dubai will rise the new capital of global air travel — ensuring the UAE continues to shape the future of how the world moves.
By 2032, once DXB hits its full capacity of 115 million passengers.
To manage long-term capacity and build a next-generation aviation hub capable of 260 million passengers a year.
It may be redeveloped into a new urban district once operations relocate.
Future extensions of the Dubai Metro and Etihad Rail will link central Dubai directly to Al Maktoum.
