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Dubai International Airport welcomes more than 90 million passengers per year, and is one of the largest in the world.
But despite it being a major travel hub, its CEO has confirmed the airport is set to close.
Boss Paul Griffiths explained that once Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) begins operating, there will be no need for both to remain open.
‘There is little sense in operating two major hubs with such close proximity to one another,’ he said. ‘We will move every single service to DWC.’
The news will come as a shock to the 6.2 million UK tourists that flock to the shiny city every year, which equates to around 17,000 Brits passing through Dubai International every single day.
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Speaking at industry event, Arabian Travel Market, Paul also pointed out that 65-year-old Dubai International (DXB) is getting too old to maintain.
In answering a question from Skift, he said: ‘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.’
While no specific date was given for the closure of Dubai International, we do know that the new and improved Al Maktoum is scheduled to open in 2032, and won’t be fully completed until the 2050s – so there’s life in DXB yet.
What will become of Dubai International? It’s likely to be turned into prime real estate, as is often the way in the ever-growing city.
‘DXB will close and we’ll redevelop the area. It will spread the city out,’ Paul said.
Al Maktoum has actually been open since 2010 for cargo flights, and began welcoming passenger planes in 2013. Currently, Easyjet operates some flight there.
But DWC is currently dwarfed by DXB, and very few passengers even know it’s there.
That’s all set to change though, after it was announced in 2024 that Al Maktoum will undergo a $35 billion expansion, becoming five times bigger than DXB, with capacity to welcome 260 million passengers.
There will be a whopping five runways which can accommodate 400 aircraft gates.
Dubai is somewhat of a divisive city – it’s been dubbed the most ‘overrated’ in the world, while also regularly topping most ‘popular’ lists from the likes of TripAdvisor.
Currently, both British Airways and Emirates operate flights from London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh.
Think Dubai is soulless? Head to its Highlands
Located 90 minutes southeast of the Dubai lies Hatta, nicknamed ‘the highlands of Dubai’.
As a frequent visitor to Dubai, I find myself regularly defending the city, and Hatta is a clear example of why there’s so much more to this metropolis than meets the eye.
Formerly an Omani territory, the same Hajar Mountains that hug Hatta dam, also stretch into Oman. The place started life as a farming village, and is one of the oldest preserved heritage areas in the UAE. Now, it’s getting a glow-up as a tourist attraction.
Hatta dam is perhaps the most popular spot if you’re visiting. You can hire kayaks or a variety of different boats, depending on the size of your party (and how much effort you want to put in).
The newly opened Aerial Adventure Park has the UAE’s only 12m ‘giant swing’, three zip-line experiences, and a bag jump where you free-fall onto a giant crash bag. There are different packages on offer depending which attraction you choose to swing, jump or hurl yourself off from.
For something a little slower paced, The Camel Farm, located inside the Al Marmoom Conservation Reserve (general admission is just £6) is a family-friendly experience. As well as a chance to ride the camels or try camel hugging therapy, you’ll also see other desert creatures, including gazelles, oryxes, and desert foxes.
And history buffs can learn all about Hatta’s past at the Hatta Heritage Village, and climb the towers of its centrepiece, Hatta Fort, built in 1896, for panoramic views of the region.
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