The world’s busiest international airport, which welcomes over 60 million passengers a year, is set to close as it undergoes a £28 billion expansion to increase its capacity to 260 million passengers annually.
Dubai International Airport, known as DXB, is a major travel hub and a key destination for long-haul travel for millions of Brits who flock to the Gulf city each year.
But its boss, Paul Griffiths, announced all services will eventually be moved in the coming decades to the newer Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
Located 22 miles outside of the city and 38 miles from DXB, Al Maktoum International Airport opened its doors in 2010, though a new DWC terminal is expected to open in 2032 and full expansion will continue into the 2050s.
According to Griffiths, Dubai International Airport, which first opened in 1960, is nearing the end of its ‘useful operating role.’
Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market conference last week, he said: ‘There is little sense in operating two major hubs with such close proximity to one another.
‘We will move every single service to DWC. By then, every single asset at DXB will be close to the end of its useful operating role, so the economics of keeping DXB open will not be possible unless we invest a huge amount of money.’
DXB is currently the world’s second busiest airport, having handled a record 92.3 million passengers in 2024, but it holds the top spot as the world’s busiest for international passengers, as reported by Aviation Week.
Dubai International Airport, known as DXB, is a major travel hub and a key destination for long-haul travel for millions of Brits who flock to the Gulf city each year
DXB is currently the world’s second busiest airport, having handled a record 92.3 million passengers in 2024, but it holds the top spot as the world’s busiest for international visitors
According to boss to Paul Griffiths, Dubai International Airport, which first opened in 1960, is nearing the end of its ‘useful operating role’
DWC, on the other hand, has been in limited use for the last 15 years, initially utilised for cargo and later for some passengers services, including a handful of EasyJet flights.
But all of that is expected to change, as Al Maktoum is expected to be five times the size of DXB, and a capacity to handle 260 million passengers a year after completion.
The new airport will have five parallel runways and up to 400 aircraft gates, marking its status as the largest airport project in the world.
Currently, it’s estimated as much as 6.2 million international travellers arrive in Dubai every single day, which equates to around 17,000 British visitors, as reported by The Standard.
Over the years, the surge in footfall from international tourists has imposed a new strain on the capacity of DXB, which is sandwiched between two major highways and residential neighbourhoods.
Last April, UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced that aviation operations would move to the city’s second airfield.
In the meantime, DXB remains the emirate’s main aviation hub, with both British Airways and Emirates expected to continue operating popular flight paths to DXB from the UK.
Although airport’s ultimate closure date is yet to be confirmed, it is reported DXB will be likely redeveloped into a space for real estate in years to come.
All DXB services will eventually be moved in the coming decades to the newer Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
The surge in footfall from international tourists has imposed a new strain on the capacity of DXB, which is sandwiched between two major highways and residential neighbourhoods
It comes as the world’s best airport has been crowned in a new ranking, with the UK failing to get a spot in the top 20.
Singapore Changi Airport topped the list for a ‘record-breaking’ 13th time at the 2025 Skytrax World Airport Awards.
The awards are the world’s largest customer airport satisfaction survey and assess customer service and facilities across 565 airports.
Changi Airport has a huge number of attractions for travellers including a butterfly garden, a rooftop pool and a hedge maze.
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