Plans have been revealed for Dubai International Airport (DXB) to be expanded and modernized in the coming years. Perhaps what’s most interesting about this is the implications for Dubai World Central Airport (DWC), which is Dubai’s second airport.
In this post:
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is expanding & improving
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths has unveiled plans for Dubai International Airport to undergo a 6-10 billion AED (~$1.63-2.72 billion) expansion and makeover within the next seven years, to reinforce the airport’s status as the world’s busiest international hub.
This project involves boosting passenger capacity, refining lounges, and improving service delivery. This will include everything from increasing the number of check-in desks, to adding new lounges, to adding new security scanners (that don’t require removing liquids), to introducing “smart” technology across the operation.
Another focus is creating better circulation areas. For example, the idea is to put restaurants and coffee shops in one main area in each terminal, with much larger areas for sitting. Currently there are outlets scattered throughout the terminal, with limited space to sit.
These projects are intended to help the hub grow further over the next 10-15 years, until the airport reaches maximum capacity.
For what it’s worth, there’s no announcement here of a major new terminal being built, or anything along those lines. Rather it’s about how to utilize the existing space more efficiently to improve passenger experience and efficiency.
Along those lines, I do have to say that the amount being invested seems rather modest for an airport the size of DXB. I mean, everything at the airport except Terminal 3 Concourse A could really use a refresh, but it sounds like we won’t see any complete overhauls of terminals. I suppose that’s fair enough, because that would require closing terminals for a significant amount of time, and that’s something the airport can’t afford to do.
What about Dubai World Central Airport (DWC)?
What makes this story the most interesting is the implications it has for Dubai World Central Airport (DWC). As a reminder, this is Dubai’s second mega-airport, which is located in the direction of Abu Dhabi. The airport grounds are massive, though the terminal hasn’t actually been built out that much, so the airport is currently being used primarily for cargo flights and select low cost carriers.
Going back a decade, the plan was for Emirates to eventually move to DWC, and make that airport its home. However, we’re seemingly no closer to that now than we were then. DWC can currently handle 26.5 million passengers annually, but once the expansion project is complete, the plan is for the airport to handle up to 240 million passengers annually, nearly double the capacity of DXB.
Griffiths is CEO of both airports in Dubai, so what does he have to say about that?
“The short-term goal is to invest significant amounts in expanding the operation at Dubai International Airport. There will come a period where you’ve used all of the available capacity at DXB, plus the 32 million passengers annually we’ve got at DWC. Beyond that phase, we are going to have to look at the longer term for the new airport by the mid-2030s.”
“We’ve got a deliberate policy to differentiate the price of operation between DXB and DWC to incentivise airline traffic at DWC. But there’s traffic and capacity demand at DXB, and we can satisfy that demand. That’s where the airlines would prefer to be in the short-term.”
When asked about the timeline with which Emirates could move to DWC, Griffiths said the following:
“We’ve got to have a lot more capacity available at DWC before that’s possible, and we don’t think we’re going to be able to develop that before the mid-2030s.”
So as much as there has been talk of the expansion project at DWC resuming, we’re now well over a decade from Emirates possibly moving to DWC. And about a decade ago, we were also supposed to be a decade from that happening. So suffice it to say that no progress has been made.
Bottom line
Dubai International Airport will see some updates in the coming years. We won’t see any new terminals built, but we should see significant improvements to existing terminals, from new security scanners, to updated food and beverage concepts.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this update is what it means for Dubai World Central Airport. Long story short, we’re still over a decade from Emirates potentially calling Dubai’s second airport home. And when you consider that a decade ago we were told to expect the move within a decade, well, you have to wonder if it will ever happen.
What do you make of these updates to DXB?
Gorgeous airport.
Shifting airport operations to a new airport is a bold decision needing commitment. In this times of technology leap, spending long time evaluating options will put them back to square one. Look ahead at opportunity ahead, Dubai has to move with commitment to time, if not, world will c another apple beating Nokia.
DWC is not a viable alternative at the moment for an airline that depends on tourism and mid-upscale tourists: it's too far away from everything with no/limited public transportation connections. The government is doing a lot to upgrade the land DWC, such as building Expo 2020, Dubai South, Palm Jebel Ali, etc. Also, it will be close to the train station to Etihad rail, so it's expected that the Southern end of Dubai emirate will...
DWC is not a viable alternative at the moment for an airline that depends on tourism and mid-upscale tourists: it's too far away from everything with no/limited public transportation connections. The government is doing a lot to upgrade the land DWC, such as building Expo 2020, Dubai South, Palm Jebel Ali, etc. Also, it will be close to the train station to Etihad rail, so it's expected that the Southern end of Dubai emirate will get a boost in demand in the next decade. Only then the airport might become valuable to Emirates, and that will take years. So understandably they'll use and upgrade DXB until that happens in the 2030s; but let's not expect any major customer impacts: the investments at DXB are mainly to ensure they can keep handling more demand, so largely behind the scenes. I don't think they'll invest much more in "optional design" or "making it beautiful" for just 10-15 years of use left.
"for just 10-15 years of use left"
Why would it be just 10-15yrs left?
While I know the land around Garhoud has gone up in value; unless something's changed recently, fairly certain that Dubai has never officially stated that they intend to close DXB, even if/once Emirates transitions to DWC.
I'll believe it when I see it. Arab mega projects are generally crap shoots that can easily be completed, or just as easily abandoned for the next shiny new thing.
Interesting statement. For sure there were projects in middle east that were never completed, but many more were finished. I think everyone should appreciate what UAE has achieved in the past few decades. Considering number of projects in Europe it is a disaster when even one is not finished. And all are overpaid and too lengthy to complete
It seems there was an expectation that India would eventually increase or eliminate the seats per week limit which I would think a lot of future capacity estimates were based on. However protectionism has taken its toll and it appears the limit may remain as it is indefinitely. It’s a shame as emirates offers the Indian traveler an exponentially better travel experience than AI, it’s a really great place for a stopover to add a few days to a trip
How is it protectionism? UAE carriers still have dormant traffic rights to India, but due to their own insistence of maintaining separate BASAs from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah those can't be utilised from DXB. If Emirates wanted to operate from RKT to India, they could start tomorrow. So blame the UAE for choosing to structure their BASAs this way with India specifically, rather than blame India for not unilaterally granting more...
How is it protectionism? UAE carriers still have dormant traffic rights to India, but due to their own insistence of maintaining separate BASAs from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah those can't be utilised from DXB. If Emirates wanted to operate from RKT to India, they could start tomorrow. So blame the UAE for choosing to structure their BASAs this way with India specifically, rather than blame India for not unilaterally granting more traffic rights to carriers from Dubai (while Indian carriers themselves are shut out from further growth at DXB).
DWC is a failure. I looked up departures for today and it looks like about 10 total passenger flights and a bunch of cargo flights.
I flew out of DWC last year (World Cup shuttle flights used it). It's a perfectly fine airport but totally bland and nothing notable. How are the plans to extend the metro to the airport? I'm guessing those are stalled too.
As others have noted, I think Dubai overall has reached market maturity. There's little growth in demand.
Problem is there are only two runways- with absolutely no option to build more.
I agree- this is a sign that they are not planning on or expecting to grow significantly in the next several years.
Part of the problem with the lounges is that they have such a huge load of Business class passengers (100+ A380s and 70+ J class seats per A380) that it's hard to create an exclusive feel. Qatar...
Problem is there are only two runways- with absolutely no option to build more.
I agree- this is a sign that they are not planning on or expecting to grow significantly in the next several years.
Part of the problem with the lounges is that they have such a huge load of Business class passengers (100+ A380s and 70+ J class seats per A380) that it's hard to create an exclusive feel. Qatar has a much smaller J to Y ratio and even their lounges can be choked at peak hours.
This is definitely a welcome announcement. I hope they can do something to make the lounges feel a bit more intimate and look less like they were designed in the 90s. They are perfectly decent, but going from the Qantas F lounge in Sydney and transiting in DXB using one of the many EK codeshares to mainland Europe, the lounges just a bit like a tacky cruiseship. Qatar's lounges are stunning, SQs are very good...
This is definitely a welcome announcement. I hope they can do something to make the lounges feel a bit more intimate and look less like they were designed in the 90s. They are perfectly decent, but going from the Qantas F lounge in Sydney and transiting in DXB using one of the many EK codeshares to mainland Europe, the lounges just a bit like a tacky cruiseship. Qatar's lounges are stunning, SQs are very good as well as CX's but EK definitely needs to commit to a solid makeover.
For all the hubris and sort of halo around Emirates (there is plenty of good but also plenty of not so good), DXB definitely needs a refresh and a makeover. It is definitely not bad, but it is really not the world class facility it could be, particularly when compared to its next closest competitor, DOH.
EK also needs a refresh beyond the new cabins they've been rolling out.
DXB has reached a point of market maturity, if not even decline. A380 replacements mean an inevitable loss in capacity and slots at DXB are maxed out. Not moving to DWC is a confession of no plans to grow. Looking at the order book of Riyadh Air, Air India, EK will lose market share. Emiratis are fully aware of it. Not even sure if DXB will ever again reach the pax numbers of 2019. Hence,...
DXB has reached a point of market maturity, if not even decline. A380 replacements mean an inevitable loss in capacity and slots at DXB are maxed out. Not moving to DWC is a confession of no plans to grow. Looking at the order book of Riyadh Air, Air India, EK will lose market share. Emiratis are fully aware of it. Not even sure if DXB will ever again reach the pax numbers of 2019. Hence, the low investment. Compared to DOH, BAH, MCT and the future midfield terminal at AUH, DXB offers the worst experience. I agree that terminal 1 (D gates) is cheap and no architectural delight. Yet, it's also the latest addition. DXB has shifted from expansion to economic optimization.
They already exceeded the 2019 passenger numbers for the same period this year.
And had a 13% increase in the number of flights vs 2019.
https://www.uaemoments.com/dxb-passenger-traffic-in-first-half-of-2023-beats-prepandemic-levels-602722.html
They should really address Terminal 1. It's awful
Terminal 1 is my favourite terminal to fly out of. Perfectly pleasant.
Surely you mean Terminal 2 instead, which is akin to a moden black hole of Calcutta on a good day.
Your reference to the black hole of Calcutta is really not necessary. Isn’t there any other example you can use instead of one that continues to promote the British Empire’s racist view of India?
"Your reference to the black hole of Calcutta is really not necessary."
....nor is you playing post-police.