February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Al Maktoum International Airport, also known by its IATA code DWC (Dubai World Central), is Dubai’s second international airport, located within the Dubai South development approximately 37 kilometers southwest of central Dubai. The airport opened for cargo operations in 2010 and began passenger services in 2013. A massive expansion program announced in 2024 envisions DWC becoming the world’s largest airport, with an ultimate planned capacity of 260 million passengers annually across five parallel runways and multiple terminal buildings, at an estimated investment exceeding USD 35 billion.

UAE Context

DWC was conceived as a long-term replacement for Dubai International Airport (DXB), which faces physical expansion constraints in the urban core of Deira. While DXB remains the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic, capacity limitations have accelerated the strategic shift toward DWC. The expansion plan represents one of the largest single infrastructure investments in UAE history and is designed to secure Dubai’s position as the global hub for international aviation for decades to come. The airport’s integration with Jebel Ali Port, JAFZA, and Dubai Logistics City creates a logistics super-corridor unmatched globally.

Key Data

  • IATA code: DWC
  • Location: Dubai South, Jebel Ali
  • Cargo operations commenced: 2010
  • Passenger operations commenced: 2013
  • Planned ultimate capacity: 260 million passengers annually
  • Planned runways: Five parallel runways at full build-out
  • Estimated expansion investment: Over USD 35 billion
  • Operator: Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP)

Significance for Vision 2031

Al Maktoum International Airport is among the most strategically significant infrastructure projects for Vision 2031. The airport’s expansion directly supports the D33 Agenda’s economic doubling target by dramatically increasing aviation capacity, tourism throughput, and cargo handling. It anchors the broader Dubai South development and ensures the UAE maintains its competitive edge as a global aviation and logistics hub against emerging competitors in the region and beyond.