Dubai International Airport (DXB) is set to close once all operations transition to Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC), according to Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports. Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market, Griffiths emphasized that moving all services to Al Maktoum makes logistical sense since the airport will eventually be five times the size of DXB and the two airports are located just 70 kilometers apart.

According to Time Out Dubai, Griffiths noted that maintaining operations at DXB would be economically challenging, especially since the airport’s assets will require significant renovation by the time the transition is made. He stated, “The current thinking is that when DXB gets to a point where we’ve got enough capacity created at DWC to make the complete transition, we will move every single service from DXB to DWC.”

He further explained that keeping both airports open would not be practical due to the high costs involved. Griffiths also mentioned that many developers are interested in the DXB site, although no official redevelopment plans have been confirmed yet. He added that relocating the airport to the Dubai South area could alleviate some traffic issues in the city, as it would encourage growth away from the northern border with Sharjah. “So it will spread the city out and actually make it perhaps a little easier than the traffic problems that we’ve got today. So that’s the future,” Griffiths concluded.