Dubai moves with the times

Driven by expanding routes and a growing fleet of airlines, the project to transition operations from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is unparalleled in scale and complexity, according to Dubai Airports CEO, Paul Griffiths.

Speaking to Arabian Aerospace and confirming the move will take place by 2034, Griffiths said: “By the time we are prepared to transition to DWC, we will be managing more than 120 million passengers annually and accommodating more than 100 international carriers operating 1,200 to 1,400 flights a day at DXB.”

The new hub aims to set a benchmark in the global aviation industry and “reflects the close correlation between the UAE’s economic expansion and the growth and development of Dubai’s aviation sector,” continued Griffiths.

Situated 20 miles south-west of downtown Dubai, plans to develop DWC into a global gateway have long been on the cards. The airport originally opened for cargo operations in 2010, before welcoming its first commercial passenger flight (served by Wizz Air) in 2013. When it takes over from DXB, initial plans are for the airport to handle more than 160 million passengers per year and 12 million tonnes of cargo with five parallel runways and 400 aircraft gates. Ultimately, through a modular approach, the futuristic mega hub will accommodate 260 million passengers.

“Our goal, which we will pursue relentlessly, is not only to be the world’s busiest airport, but also the best. With an investment of AED128 bn ($34.8bn), DWC is poised to become the largest airport in the world, five times larger than Dubai’s current main international airport,” added Griffiths. It is also at the heart of the 145km² aerotropolis – Dubai South, which will be developed in phases to feature clustered zones, including a mix of residential and commercial areas.

To meet additional passenger capacity, Dubai Airports will leverage innovative design concepts, while implementing advanced systems and technologies that eliminate the need for guests to queue or go through repetitive legacy processes. “At DXB, we’ve already made substantial investments in biometric technologies, a focus that will extend to DWC’s development. Looking ahead, AI will further revolutionise airport operations.”

Griffiths also emphasised that Dubai Airports’ commitment to sustainability will be “embedded in the design and construction of the new terminal, with a focus on energy efficiency, waste reduction and eco-friendly initiatives.”

Additionally, Griffiths revealed his “tremendous excitement” over the potential for the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector in the UAE. “I see AAM as a crucial element for DWC to become an inter-modal hub in the future. The more transport modes you can interface with, the more effective you will become. Pilotless air taxis will be a rapid way to get to the airport and a sustainable one too.”

The relocation of operations will inevitably present challenges. “No airport move of this magnitude has been attempted before and such ambitious projects inevitably encounter obstacles. We are dedicated to working closely with airline partners and stakeholders to navigate these challenges collaboratively.”

A phased approach to relocating airlines to DWC could take up to a year, with the successful relocation of local giant Emirates expected to mark a milestone in the move.

Griffiths also underlined that preventing the splitting of airline operations “especially those of home base carriers remains a top priority.”

And while recent airport relocations, such as Berlin Brandenburg or Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International offer some insights, none compare to the scale of Dubai’s transition, according to Griffiths.

“Nonetheless, our past experiences, such as Emirates’ move from terminal one to terminal three in 2008 and temporary traffic shifts for runway refurbishments at DXB, have provided valuable lessons in understanding operational logistics, stakeholder management and infrastructure planning,” he said.

And while Griffiths remained adamant it is “too early to speculate on what exactly will happen to DXB once all operations have moved to DWC”, he did underline, “we are very clear that the new airport will be Dubai’s all-inclusive hub.”