Overview
Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA) is a premium free zone located adjacent to Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the world’s busiest airports. Established in 1996, DAFZA hosts over 1,800 companies from more than 100 countries and provides world-class infrastructure for businesses in logistics, aviation, technology, and international trade.
License Types
DAFZA issues trading licenses for import, export, and re-export activities, service licenses for consultancy and professional firms, industrial licenses for light manufacturing and assembly, and logistics licenses for warehousing and distribution. National Industrial Licence options are also available for companies seeking to benefit from the UAE’s industrial strategy.
Costs
DAFZA license fees start at approximately AED 20,000 for a basic trade or service license. Office packages range from flexi-desks at around AED 15,000 per year to fully fitted offices and warehouse units at higher rates. Visa costs, establishment card fees, and immigration deposits are additional. DAFZA is positioned as a mid-to-premium tier free zone in terms of cost.
Setup Process
The registration process at DAFZA involves selecting a license type, reserving a trade name, submitting incorporation documents through the e-services portal, securing office or warehouse space, and completing immigration formalities. DAFZA assigns a dedicated account manager to each company. Setup can typically be completed within five to seven business days.
Benefits
DAFZA provides 100 percent foreign ownership, zero percent corporate and personal income tax for qualifying activities, full repatriation of capital and profits, direct airport adjacency for logistics-dependent businesses, and a well-established business community. The free zone also offers customs bonded warehouse facilities.
Location and Infrastructure
DAFZA is situated directly beside Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport, providing immediate access to air cargo facilities. The free zone features modern office buildings, warehouses, light industrial units, and shared business facilities. Its location provides easy access to Deira, Dubai Creek, and the wider UAE road network.
Key Sectors
DAFZA focuses on aviation services, logistics and freight forwarding, IT and telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage distribution, engineering, and general trading. The proximity to the airport makes it a leading choice for companies with time-sensitive supply chains.
Ideal Setup Profile
DAFZA is best suited for logistics companies, trading firms with import/export operations, aviation service providers, pharmaceutical distributors, and technology companies that benefit from direct airport access and premium free zone infrastructure.