Dubai International Airport (DXB) – the world’s busiest – will officially close in 2035. Find out why the legendary hub is closing, what will replace it and how this event will change global aviation

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For more than six decades, Dubai International Airport (DXB) has been a symbol of global air travel – a hub that serves tens of millions of passengers from all corners of the globe every year. But DXB’s era is coming to an end. According to Express, the world’s busiest international airport will officially close in 2035.

Find the top 10 airlines in the world here.

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A record holder who is cramped in the city

In 2024, more than 92 million passengers passed through DXB - an absolute record for international airports in the world. Despite this, the airport has practically exhausted its growth potential. The reason is prosaic: DXB is located among highways and residential areas, which makes any expansion of runways or terminals impossible. There is simply nowhere to build further.

CEO of Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths explained the logic of the decision without further ado: keeping two large hubs next to each other makes no economic sense. According to him, by the time of the relocation, almost all of DXB's infrastructure will be approaching the limit of its operational resource, so keeping the airport open without colossal investments will simply be unprofitable.

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A new giant: five runways and 260 million passengers per year

Instead of DXB, the aviation capital of the world will be represented by Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) - a large-scale project that is already experiencing a construction boom. In April 2024, the ruler of Dubai approved an expansion plan worth AED 128 billion - the equivalent of about $ 35 billion or about 28 billion pounds sterling.

Also read, in April 2026, the Dubai Land Department abolished the minimum property value threshold for sole owners applying for a two-year investor visa.

The scale of the project is impressive. Al Maktoum will occupy an area of ​​​​70 square kilometers - five times the size of DXB. Among the key parameters of the new hub:

- Five parallel runways;

- Up to 400 gates for boarding and disembarking passengers;

- Eight terminals;

- Capacity of up to 150 million passengers per year in the first phase, with a subsequent increase to 260 million.

The airport is being built with elements of artificial intelligence to improve the passenger experience and integrate green energy. Paul Griffiths, speaking to International Airport Review, emphasized that the new hub will not repeat the mistakes of large airports with confusing routes and inconvenient distances between terminals.

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to launch high-speed passenger trains between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, more details at the link.

Relocation and future plans

The relocation of all operations – including Emirates and flydubai flights – is scheduled for 2032. The megaproject is expected to be fully completed by 2057. In addition, the new airport is planned to be integrated with the upcoming high-speed Etihad Rail, which will reduce travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi to around 30 minutes.

Read about key places to include in your itinerary when traveling to Abu Dhabi here.

What is happening to Dubai’s airports now?

It is worth noting that 2026 has been a difficult year for the region’s aviation industry. Al Maktoum International Airport is fully operational as of March 2026 and serves as Dubai’s main aviation hub after temporary disruptions to DXB due to regional security events. This once again emphasized the strategic importance of the new airport – it has already proven its ability to take on the load at critical moments.

The move is part of the UAE’s ambitious strategy: according to Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the city should become “the world’s airport, its port, its urban center and its new global hub.” The giant airport in Dubai South is designed to ensure the emirate’s dominance in global aviation, logistics and tourism for decades to come.

Dubai welcomes tens of millions of tourists every year – and remains one of the most popular destinations for Ukrainians. But even a perfectly planned trip can be spoiled by a sudden illness, injury, flight delay or loss of luggage. This is especially true in the context of the current instability in the region: as 2026 has shown, even the largest air hubs can suspend operations without warning.

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Let's remind you! Long-haul flights often become a serious test for the body due to dry air, fatigue and a change in time zones. At the same time, many passengers themselves worsen their condition with typical mistakes during the flight. We have already talked about 11 habits that can ruin a long-haul flight, as well as tips from former flight attendant Tiffany Hawk for a more comfortable trip.

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