Dubai World Central, also known as the Al Maktoum International Airport, is located in the Dubai South Emirate. Passenger flights were introduced in 2010, and the primary passenger flight was introduced in 2013. Although the Al Maktoum International Airport opening date was supposed to be June 27, 2010, it opened for passengers on October 27, 2013.
This world’s largest airport already grew into this in 2016 and will reach a staggering $34.8 billion.
Already undertaking a bold plan to expand its capacity to handle 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2032, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP), Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, and Coop Himmelblau is one of the biggest expansions that the world has ever witnessed, with five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates.
Indeed, it is five times the size of DXB. Since the organisation had to deal with several challenges at the primary stage, which were mostly caused by the economy’s status, new traveller airports are currently under a planning cycle, and development will start in 2024.
Here is the Al Maktoum International Airport Address – P.O. Box 222700, Dubai South, Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Development of Dubai’s Airport: Dubai Worldwide Versus Al Maktoum
DWC will help Dubai achieve global leadership in aviation and become a major logistics hub, as the entire operation of DXB is supposed to be transferred once completed.
Dubai aims to gradually expand all its passenger operations through a transition of activity from its existing Dubai International Airport to the new Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South. This is because the government wants to address capacity constraints faced at DXB and benefit from the enormous scale of DWC Airport, which could eventually accommodate up to 260 million passengers.
The transition will be phased. The first decade is estimated to carry 150 million, and the next 110 million in another phase. Unlocking the city’s prime Garhoud area with the closure of DXB will then be a potential source of future urban redevelopment of Dubai as a whole and complement the more general growth and diversification aspirations of the Emirate.
Transport Into and Out of Al Maktoum International Airport
Al Maktoum International Airport is very well accessible to Dubai using all modes of transport, making it relatively easy for tourists to travel there.
1. Road Access:
Al Maktoum Airport can be accessed through any highway, whether Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), or Emirates Road (E611).
Driving distance/ time to the following areas within Dubai:
- Dubai Mall – 40 minutes.
- Palm Jumeirah – 32 minutes.
- Burj Al Arab – 38 minutes.
- The Walk JBR – 33 minutes.
2. Metro & Bus:
To the Dubai Metro Red Line: Take it from Ibn Battuta Station and connect with the F55 bus at Ibn Battuta to reach the airport.
From Satwa Bus Station, direct travel can be arranged on the F55A.
3. Car Rentals:
This airport offers car rentals from AVIS, Dollar, Europcar, Hertz, Frugal, and Public Proposition.

Facilities in Al Maktoum International Airport
The Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) offers a comprehensive display of modern offices to enhance travellers’ comfort and accommodations. The airport also offers food options and assistance, but that’s just the beginning.
1. Dining & Shopping:
- Restaurants and cafes are available for quick and full-service meals.
- Duty-free shopping is also available with a diverse range of products.
2. Financial Services:
- Currency exchange counters and banking facilities are available for financial transactions.
3. Traveler Assistance:
- Concierge services are available for support at the airport.
4. Main Amenities:
- Medical centres and prayer rooms.
- Adequate parking spaces are present in the car park.
5. Hotels Nearby:
- Holiday Inn Dubai Al-Maktoum Airport is adjacent to the airport.
- Lapita and Rove at the Park is 20 20-minute drive away from Dubai Parks and Resorts.
- Rove Expo City is situated in Expo City Dubai and provides ample choices for food.
6. Transport:
Google Maps may be used to get driving directions via Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).
Essential Details of Al Maktoum International Airport
1. Runways
Al Maktoum International Airport has 5 runways and landing capabilities 24/7, ensuring smooth air traffic management.
2. Product Pressing and Transportation
With a typical annual cargo limit of 12 million tons, the airport is intended to serve as a global centre for coordinated operations and international interchange.
3. Passenger Capacity
Plans are for a high-speed rail link to Dubai International Airport, allowing for easy transfers. The airport is expected to be able to accommodate 260 million passengers yearly, and passenger throughput is expected to be 20 times greater than cargo volume.
4. Passenger Terminals
The government of Dubai approved the design for the passenger terminal, which was to start building last year after several estimations that it would cost around AED 128 billion to meet the rising demand for air travel.
5. Expansion Plans
Dubai Al Maktoum Airport is five times larger than Dubai International Airport, which will hand over all its activities within a decade. The airport also targets less environmental degradation and will pursue LEED Gold certification.
Things To Do at Al Maktoum International Airport
The function of Maktoum International Airport is to provide various services to passengers as they wait for their flights. From hardware to novels, attractive products, and creator watches, Dubai Obligation Free has a wide range of inventory.
For passengers looking for food and beverages, Caribou Coffee provides a cup of fast coffee, while Olives Restaurant serves the finest and freshest meals and snacks.
The airport is strategically located within Dubai South, a large-scale development comprising six distinct zones: Dubai Logistics City, Commercial City, Residential City, Aviation City, and Golf City. With an area double the size of Hong Kong Island, Dubai South provides a vibrant mix of residential, commercial, and logistics facilities.
Nearby Attractions
- Expo City Dubai: This place still shines within 20 minutes of the airport. It boasts some attractions from Expo 2020, including Al Wasl Plaza, the Sky Garden observation tower, and the Surreal Water Show.
- Dubai Parks and Resorts: This is an amazing place for the whole family, as it comprises over 100 rides inside and outdoors within Motiongate Dubai, Legoland Dubai, Real Madrid World, Legoland Water Park, and Neon Galaxy.

Masterplan Overview of Al Maktoum International Airport
Al Maktoum International Airport, established in January 2006, by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as the new global aviation hub, is created to sustain the growth of greater demands in this service sector through Dubai. Named as its home, is strategically located inside Dubai South-Jebel Ali Airport and distances around a total of 6 of 5 sqm, part of an enlarged 140sqkm Dubai South development.
Strategic Location
1. Distance from the City Centre of Dubai: 40 km.
2. Access Roads:
- Sheikh Zayed Road.
- Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road.
- Emirates Road.
3. Metro Connectivity:
- Expanded metro line for easy transport.
- Connected with the Etihad Rail network.
Airport Scale and Capacity
- Total Dubai International Airport area: 65 sq km.
- Total site area: 140 sq km.
- Annual passengers: 260 million passengers.
- Annual cargo: 12 million tonnes.
- Area comparison: 10 times larger than Dubai International Airport.
Runways and Taxiways
- Total number of runways: 5 parallel Code F runways.
- Runway length: 4.5 km each.
- Instrument landing system: Cat IIIB (all-weather operations).
- Taxiway system:
- Triple Code F parallel taxiways.
- Triple Code F cross-field taxiways.
- Critical aircraft dimensions: 85m x 85m.
Passenger Terminals and Concourses
- Two terminals: West and East.
- West Terminal: 165,000 sqm (Phase 1 completion by 2030).
- East Terminal: 15 million passenger capacity (Phase 2).
- Four satellite concourses:
- Each concourse footprint: 385,000 sqm.
- Each concourse capacity: 65 million passengers.
- Total contact stands: 400 wide-body aircraft stands.
- Passenger handling facilities:
- Six automated people mover tracks.
- 14 stations connecting terminals and concourses.
Infrastructure and Facilities
- Transportation links:
- Express train connection to Dubai City.
- Metro Red Line extension and new Purple Line.
- Cargo facilities:
- The current capacity is 12 million tonnes.
- Future expansion to 16 million tonnes.
- Dedicated 8 sq km cargo area.
- Subterranean road network:
- 40 km in length.
- Multiple lanes connecting support facilities.
- Logistics and baggage handling:
- High-speed baggage handling system.
- Fully automated logistics network.
Development Phases
- Phase 1 (To be completed by 2030):
- 2 Code F parallel runways.
- West Terminal, with the capacity to host 35 million passengers.
- Satellite Concourses 2, totalling 200 stands.
- 6 connections of train interlinking to terminals and concourses.
- Ties to both metro and express trains.
- Phase 2 (Timeline to be determined):
- 2 more code F parallel runways.
- East terminal with a total passenger capacity of 15 million.
- 2 satellites concourses.
- Rise in passengers to 260 million.
- The number of cargo increases by 6 train links.
Vision for the Future
The airport will serve as the new hub for Emirates Airline, scalable and sustainable. Designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, the airport focuses on eco-friendly operations while offering an unparalleled passenger experience through:
- State-of-the-art shopping and dining facilities.
- Advanced passenger service systems.
- Seamless connectivity through city-wide rail networks.
Current Status (2020)
- Operating with a single runway.
- Undergoing a US$ 32 billion expansion to boost capacity to 240 million passengers annually.
- The development of the Al Maktoum International Airport expansion will be completed in the next six to eight years.
The Al Maktoum Worldwide Air Terminal is a remarkable effort designed to support Dubai’s goal of becoming a global hub for travel and strategy.
Design Stage
Under it is a conceptual design for the Al Maktoum International Airport and allows one to trace from initial development to its completion. Ordinarily, development processes face more than one change before turning into concrete construction plans; conceptualised and planned architecturally in the first instance, landscapes and other facilities to accommodate amenities by the developer when underway.
Construction History
VIP Terminal
- In December 2016, a statement was reported in several circles claiming that one was the biggest ever developed globally.
- The 5,600 sq m terminal operates 24/7, serving private, business, and government VIP travellers.
- It features dedicated customs, immigration, and police services, as well as luxury shops selling art, cars, and watches.
- Inspired by aircraft wing designs, this design utilises solid oak panelling and bronzed-gold louvred screens to create an interplay of light and privacy.
Aerospace Supply Chain Facility
- 157,000 sq m aerospace support services development.
- There are three stages to the building. Phase one was finished in early 2017, which had been 9,000 sq m for SMEs. Phase two started in March 2017, and phase three in July 2017.
FAQs
What are the plans for Al Maktoum Airport?
It will have the largest capacity, holding 260 million passengers a year. By the end of 2030, it would hold phase one with Concourse 1 and 100 gates, nearly 1.7 miles.
What is Al Maktoum Airport also known as?
Al Maktoum is also known to be called a short name known as Dubai World Central (DWC).
Who will design the New Airport of Dubai?
Coop Himmelblau from Austria and Dar Al-Handasah from Lebanon are the primary expert preparation and planning advisors for the expanding Dubai Al-Maktoum Global Air Terminal.
Who possesses the Al Maktoum Air terminal?
Al Maktoum Global Airport and Dubai Worldwide Airport are owned and operated by the Dubai Air Terminals Organization, which also oversees all other airports in the emirate of Dubai.
Which airlines operate out of the Al Maktoum Airport?
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is a large cargo airport, and passenger movements are relatively slight. The various passenger airlines operating at DWC are Wizz Air, S7 Airlines, and Luxair.
What is DWC airport used for?
DWC Airport Dubai is primarily operational for cargo businesses and a number of passenger airline movements.
Are there two airports in Dubai?
Yes, and their names are Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport hereafter called DWC.
How many runways does DWC have?
DWC will install five parallel runways of 4.5 kilometres each.