DXB to Be Retired: Real Estate Transformation Ahead as Dubai Eyes Future

In a bold vision for the city’s long-term growth, Dubai International Airport (DXB)—currently the world’s busiest airport for international passengers—is set to eventually close and be redeveloped into a major real estate masterplan. The announcement was made by Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths during the Arabian Travel Market 2025.

Griffiths confirmed that once Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) becomes fully operational, DXB will no longer be required. This marks a historic pivot in Dubai’s infrastructure strategy, signaling both a shift in air travel logistics and a monumental real estate opportunity.

From Aviation Hub to Urban Mega-Project

While DXB continues to function as the city's primary aviation gateway for now, the long-term plan points toward a complete transition to DWC, located in Dubai South. With its significantly larger footprint and modern infrastructure, DWC is being positioned as the emirate’s future global hub.

The decommissioning of DXB will unlock a vast expanse of prime, centrally located land—an extremely rare asset in a city where space is increasingly at a premium. Urban planners, developers, and investors are already eyeing the area’s potential for mixed-use redevelopment, likely to include residential towers, commercial zones, hospitality clusters, and green spaces.

A Generational Opportunity for Developers

The move echoes global trends in airport redevelopment, where old aviation sites are transformed into thriving urban quarters. Similar projects in cities like Hong Kong, Berlin, and Denver have proven that airports can be reborn as economic engines in new forms.

Given DXB’s proximity to major roads, public transport links, and established communities, the future masterplan is expected to be one of the most ambitious in the region—potentially reshaping the real estate map of Dubai once again.

Strategic Timing and Transition

No official timeline has been announced for DXB’s closure, and Griffiths emphasized that the transition will be carefully phased. DWC is undergoing a multi-billion-dollar expansion, and only when it is fully capable of absorbing DXB’s traffic will the redevelopment of the current airport begin in earnest.

Until then, DXB remains operational, and Dubai continues to invest in maintaining its world-class status.