Dubai is building one of the world’s largest airports, and it’s going underground to make your journey easier.
Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central (DWC), will feature a comprehensive underground train system to move passengers across the massive site, five times the size of Dubai International Airport when it is fully completed. Once complete, the airport will have capacity for 260 million passengers a year, making it the largest capacity airport in the world.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, revealed at the Arabian Travel Market 2025 that this underground system is being designed to make journeys shorter and smarter. With eight individual concourses planned instead of one massive terminal, the airport aims to reduce crowding and improve efficiency. According to Paul Griffiths, the new train system will help passengers move between check-in, security, lounges, and gates within 15 to 20 minutes, similar to the time it takes to travel between King’s Cross and Paddington stations in London.
Crucially, the trains will include seating, unlike current airport shuttle services, to ensure passenger comfort during longer rides across the terminal.
Visual guidance systems will also enhance the experience. Imagine sitting in a lounge and seeing your aircraft through a glass canopy, with flight details projected directly above it, making it easier to know exactly where to go. It was also said that AI technology will help plan efficient routes for passenger and baggage movement and other logistics.
This project promises a smoother airport experience in the future. Shorter walking distances, easy navigation, and faster transfers could make DWC a favourite for travellers worldwide. While the full airport is still about a decade away, with Phase 1 set to be completed within 10 years, it’s a glimpse of what’s next for Dubai’s ambitious infrastructure.