Dubai Targets 100 Million Passengers by 2027 with Major Airport Expansions

2 months ago Editor

Dubai targets 100 million passengers by 2027, with expansions at DXB and DWC to handle the growing traffic, ensuring top-notch passenger experiences.

Dubai is gearing up to welcome 100 million passengers annually by 2027, according to Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths. This ambitious target comes despite current challenges in the global aircraft supply chain, which have delayed airline capacity expansions. However, Griffiths remains optimistic, predicting that these issues will be resolved by late 2026 or early 2027.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) has already set a new benchmark, recording 44.9 million passengers in the first half of 2024 and projecting a total of 91.8 million for the entire year, surpassing its previous record from 2018.

As DXB nears its capacity limits, Griffiths announced plans to shift additional traffic to Dubai World Central (DWC), which currently handles up to 30 million passengers annually. Detailed plans for a $35 billion terminal at DWC are in progress, with an emphasis on enhancing the passenger experience and avoiding common design pitfalls.

In addition to expansion at DWC, DXB is undergoing significant refurbishments. These include the expansion of Facility 2 and upgrades to the Arrivals area. The Dubai International Hotel will also be rebranded, and new technologies, such as advanced baggage screening systems, will be introduced to improve efficiency and security.

Despite geopolitical tensions in the region, Dubai Airports remains resilient, supported by strong markets in India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.