Dubai is exploring the idea of burying fuel tanks and other critical infrastructure underground at its new Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), a move aimed at reducing vulnerabilities to drone and missile strikes. The proposal comes as planners assess how to harden the future aviation hub against potential attacks, following recent incidents at Dubai International Airport (DXB). This follows discussions between Dubai Airports chief executive Paul Griffiths and Dubai Airports chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who confirmed that the regional conflict would not alter the emirate’s long-term aviation expansion plans.
The shift was confirmed by Paul Griffiths, chief executive of Dubai Airports, who told the Financial Times that resilience measures—including reinforcing key site components—are being evaluated during the airport’s design phase. Griffiths framed the decision around a straightforward calculation: “It’s about likelihood [of an attack] versus consequence and the proper risk,” he told the FT.
The reassessment follows strikes on above-ground fuel tanks at DXB during the regional conflict. While operations were temporarily suspended, they resumed within an hour, Griffiths said. Advance warnings and coordination with UAE authorities and the military allowed passengers to be evacuated to safer areas. Despite the disruption, Dubai has no plans to scale back its expansion ambitions for DWC, with discussions between Griffiths and Sheikh Al Maktoum reinforcing the commitment to proceed as planned.
DWC Aims for 260 Million Passengers Annually
Once fully operational, DWC is designed to handle up to 260 million passengers annually, with its first major phase targeting 150 million—far exceeding DXB’s current capacity of around 115 million. Construction is already underway, with Griffiths stating that work is moving “full speed ahead.” The second runway is set to open by the end of 2027, bringing the total to five, four active and one in reserve.
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Terminal infrastructure will be organized into eight nodes, each capable of processing roughly 32 million passengers. The transfer of airlines from DXB to DWC will be gradual, with Flydubai potentially relocating five or six aircraft as early as 2027, before a broader transition takes place over several months as capacity becomes available. All DXB operations are ultimately expected to relocate once DWC’s first 150-million-passenger phase is ready.
Facial Recognition and Smart Baggage Redefine Travel
The airport’s design also includes a reimagined passenger experience. Traditional check-in processes may fade in favor of facial recognition and automated baggage handling, transforming arrivals into something closer to a hotel lobby than a conventional airport. Dubai Airports is also exploring deeper integration with the city’s transport network, including direct links to the metro system.
While DXB saw 6.3 million travelers in July, a 26% increase from June, passenger volumes remain below pre-conflict levels, though airline capacity has rebounded to 84% of earlier levels. Passenger numbers for the year are projected to reach around 70 million. Griffiths has consistently emphasized that regional disruptions will not derail Dubai’s long-term aviation strategy, noting in an earlier interview with Arabian Business’s The Briefing that the emirate’s recovery trajectory remains robust.
Early 2030s Launch Positions Dubai as Global Hub
Griffiths’ comments during the Government of Dubai Media Office’s International Media Briefing series reinforced that the project remains on track, with the first phase of DWC expected to enter service in the early 2030s. The airport’s eventual capacity will make it one of the largest in the world, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a transit hub for international travel.
