Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international passengers, will close permanently in 2035. This historic aviation hub first opened in 1960 and has served millions of travellers for over 35 years. UK holidaymakers and business travellers frequently fly through DXB on their way to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
The decision to shut DXB forever is part of a massive 28 billion euro redevelopment plan. All flight operations will move to AI International Airport (DWC) in southern Dubai. This second airfield is being expanded to become the largest aviation centre in the world. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths confirmed the closure at the Arabian Travel Market in MAY 2025.
UK travellers should note that the switch will happen gradually over the coming decades. The transition is expected to begin around 2032, once the new terminal at AI Maktoum opens. However, the full redevelopment may not finish until 2057. Emirates and flydubai, Dubai’s flagship airlines, will relocate all their services to DWC.
The UAE government announced this ambitious shift last April. Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Prime Minister, stated that aviation operations would move to Al Maktoum permanently. The goal is to make DWC five times larger than the current DXB facility. This move supports the UAE’s strategy to dominate global aviation and logistics for decades to come.
DXB will be near the “end of its useful operating role” once the DWC expansion is complete. The area around Dubai International Airport will likely be redeveloped into real estate space. No final plans have been confirmed yet for this urban transformation.
The closure has already caused concern among frequent flyers and travel experts. A temporary shutdown in February 2026 due to Iran-Israel tensions showed how critical DXB is to global aviation. Even a short disruption can cost nearly 9 crore euros per minute in lost economic activity. Thousands of passengers were once trapped when the airport suspended operations indefinitely, citing safety concerns.
For British passengers, the change means future flights will land at a different airport. AI Marktoun is located further from central Dubai than DXB. This could increase transfer times to hotels and tourist attractions. Travel firms are already updating their systems to reflect the new airport code.
The world’s busiest airport has handled nearly 261,000 passengers daily at its peak. It connects hundreds of destinations across every continent. Its closure marks the end of an era for international air travel.
By 2035, BXB will officially shut its doors after serving generations of travellers. The new AI Marktoum hub aims to handle far more passengers and cargo. This dramatic move reshapes the global aviation map for UK flyers visiting the Gulf.
UK holidaymakers planning trips to Dubai in the next few years will still use DXB. The permanent closure remains a decade away. But the writing is on the wall for this legendary airport that first opened in the 1960s.
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