About us
Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation and development of both of Dubai's airports - Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC).
World’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic.
Corporate Goals
Airport
CREATE infrastructure that never stops raising the bar
Operations
PERFECT every passenger journey into a seamless flow
Product
AMAZE our customers with constantly unique experiences
Profitability
EXCEL as the fastest-growing, most profitable airport in the world
People & Culture
INSPIRE our people to be game changers
Standards
CHALLENGE convention to shape a new level in performance and agility
Reputation
ECLIPSE all others to become the world’s preferred airport company
Business Technology
INNOVATE every part and every process in our company
Our story
2018
DXB welcomes its one billionth international passenger.
1959
Work to build ‘Dubai airport’ began on a vast expanse of a wasteland some four kilometres from what was then the edge of the city of Dubai.
1960
The airport comprising a sand compacted runway and a small terminal building was opened on September 30 and was capable of handling aircraft up to the size of a DC-3.
1963
Work to build an asphalt runway began. It was opened in 1965 together with numerous other newly built or refurbished facilities.
1969
Dubai International accommodated nine airlines serving a total of 20 destinations.
1970
The 70s witnessed many developments across Dubai International, starting with a new three-storey terminal building, a new control tower, additional taxiways, lengthening of the runway, extension of aprons, airfield lighting and landing instrument.
1980
On 23 December 1980, Dubai International became an ordinary member of the Airports Council International (ACI).
1983
Dubai Duty Free began operations at Dubai International. From an annual turnover of US$20 million in its inaugural year, DDF has grown to acquire the status of the world’s single largest airport retailer with a turnover of US$1.93 billion in 2017.
1984
The second runway, equipped with the latest meteorological, airfield lighting and instrument landing systems to give the airport a Category II classification, was opened in April 1984.
1985
Emirates airline is launched.
1988
Passenger throughput at the airport increased was 4.3 million and more than doubled in a decade to 9.7 million by 1998.
1998
Terminal 2 was opened, increasing Dubai International’s capacity by two million passengers per annum.
2000
The opening of Concourse 1 (now Concourse C), marked the start of a new chapter in Dubai’s aviation history. Built as part of the first phase of the general expansion project at a cost of AED2 billion, the Terminal increased the Airport’s capacity from 10 million to 23 million.
2002
Dubai International was ranked the second fastest growing airport in the world according to Airports Council International (ACI) traffic statistics. The facility handled around 18 million passengers in 2003 and was firmly established as the aviation hub of the Middle East.
2007
Department of Civil Aviation is restructured leading to the formation of Dubai Airports –operator of Dubai’s airports – alongside Dubai Civil Aviation Authority – the local aviation regulatory body.
2008
Dubai Airports opened the much-awaited Dubai International Terminal 3 for the exclusive use of Emirates airline. The flawless opening of the world’s largest single terminal expanded Dubai International’s capacity to 60 million and won the airport accolades from passengers and the aviation industry worldwide.
2009
Passenger throughput surpasses the 40 million-mark with traffic reaching 40.9 million and Dubai International becomes the world’s fastest growing airport among top 50 major hubs. Work begins on Concourse 3 (now Concourse A), the A380 dedicated facility for Emirates’ super jumbo fleet. Terminal 2 undergoes major refurbishment for the launch of flydubai, Dubai’s own low-cost airline.
2010
Dubai Airports opens the first phase of Dubai World Central (DWC) for cargo operations on June 27.
2013
Concourse A, the world’s largest facility purpose built for the A380 opens at DXB.
2014
DXB welcomes 70.4 million passengers in 2014 to become the world’s number 1 airport for international passenger traffic.
2016
Concourse D, a $1.2 billion state of the art facility, serves some 70 international airlines operating out of DXB’s Terminal 1.
2018
DXB welcomes its one billionth international passenger.
1959
Work to build ‘Dubai airport’ began on a vast expanse of a wasteland some four kilometres from what was then the edge of the city of Dubai.
1960
The airport comprising a sand compacted runway and a small terminal building was opened on September 30 and was capable of handling aircraft up to the size of a DC-3.
1963
Work to build an asphalt runway began. It was opened in 1965 together with numerous other newly built or refurbished facilities.
1969
Dubai International accommodated nine airlines serving a total of 20 destinations.
1970
The 70s witnessed many developments across Dubai International, starting with a new three-storey terminal building, a new control tower, additional taxiways, lengthening of the runway, extension of aprons, airfield lighting and landing instrument.
1980
On 23 December 1980, Dubai International became an ordinary member of the Airports Council International (ACI).
1983
Dubai Duty Free began operations at Dubai International. From an annual turnover of US$20 million in its inaugural year, DDF has grown to acquire the status of the world’s single largest airport retailer with a turnover of US$1.93 billion in 2017.
1984
The second runway, equipped with the latest meteorological, airfield lighting and instrument landing systems to give the airport a Category II classification, was opened in April 1984.
1985
Emirates airline is launched.
1988
Passenger throughput at the airport increased was 4.3 million and more than doubled in a decade to 9.7 million by 1998.
1998
Terminal 2 was opened, increasing Dubai International’s capacity by two million passengers per annum.
2000
The opening of Concourse 1 (now Concourse C), marked the start of a new chapter in Dubai’s aviation history. Built as part of the first phase of the general expansion project at a cost of AED2 billion, the Terminal increased the Airport’s capacity from 10 million to 23 million.
2002
Dubai International was ranked the second fastest growing airport in the world according to Airports Council International (ACI) traffic statistics. The facility handled around 18 million passengers in 2003 and was firmly established as the aviation hub of the Middle East.
2007
Department of Civil Aviation is restructured leading to the formation of Dubai Airports –operator of Dubai’s airports – alongside Dubai Civil Aviation Authority – the local aviation regulatory body.
2008
Dubai Airports opened the much-awaited Dubai International Terminal 3 for the exclusive use of Emirates airline. The flawless opening of the world’s largest single terminal expanded Dubai International’s capacity to 60 million and won the airport accolades from passengers and the aviation industry worldwide.
2009
Passenger throughput surpasses the 40 million-mark with traffic reaching 40.9 million and Dubai International becomes the world’s fastest growing airport among top 50 major hubs. Work begins on Concourse 3 (now Concourse A), the A380 dedicated facility for Emirates’ super jumbo fleet. Terminal 2 undergoes major refurbishment for the launch of flydubai, Dubai’s own low-cost airline.
2010
Dubai Airports opens the first phase of Dubai World Central (DWC) for cargo operations on June 27.
2013
Concourse A, the world’s largest facility purpose built for the A380 opens at DXB.
2014
DXB welcomes 70.4 million passengers in 2014 to become the world’s number 1 airport for international passenger traffic.
2016
Concourse D, a $1.2 billion state of the art facility, serves some 70 international airlines operating out of DXB’s Terminal 1.
2018
DXB welcomes its one billionth international passenger.
- 1959
- 1960
- 1963
- 1969
- 1970
- 1980
- 1983
- 1984
- 1985
- 1988
- 1998
- 2000
- 2002
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2013
- 2014
- 2016
- 2018