The key facts
- The metro will be extended by 3 km to DWC's Western Terminal, with launch in 2031
- The AED 2 billion project is part of an AED 11.59 billion package
- A plan to develop social facilities worth AED 9.59 billion through 2040 was also approved
Metro extension to Al Maktoum Airport approved
Dubai's Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and UAE Minister of Defence Hamdan bin Mohammed on Tuesday, November 10, approved a plan to connect the Dubai Metro with the emerging Al Maktoum airport city. This was reported by The National. Service is expected to launch in 2031 — before the emirate transfers all commercial flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum (DWC) in 2032–2035, which will become the city's main aviation hub.
Project parameters and its place in the transport system
The project, worth AED 2 billion ($544.6 million), involves extending the existing Route 2020 line by 3 km with two new stations that will link the line to the airport's Western Terminal. Route 2020 is a 15-kilometre extension of the metro's Red Line from Jebel Ali station to Expo City Dubai, launched in July 2020 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid. The new branch will connect with the airport express and the Etihad Rail high-speed rail network. The project will be implemented by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority and the Dubai Engineering Projects Establishment. According to Sheikh Hamdan, the extension is part of an integrated transport system supporting the airport's expansion and Dubai's position as a global aviation hub. The project is expected to ease travel for passengers, airport staff and visitors, reduce pressure on surrounding roads and improve access to the emirate's urban centres.
Package of Executive Council decisions
The decisions were taken at a meeting of Dubai's Executive Council chaired by Sheikh Hamdan, held as part of the UAE Annual Government Meetings 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The total cost of the approved strategic projects exceeded AED 11.59 billion ($3.6 billion). The largest component is a plan to develop public services and facilities worth AED 9.59 billion through 2040: it provides for an even distribution of services across existing and planned residential areas, priority for districts where Emiratis live, and facilities for security, healthcare, education and sport, as well as amenities for elderly Emiratis and spaces for family events. The Council also approved a real estate market study by the Dubai Land Department: according to its data, residential occupancy stands at 97%, retail at 98% and offices at 94%; by 2030, the construction of 365,000 new residential units and about 1.1 million square metres of office and retail space is forecast. In addition, directives were approved on diversifying the investment policies of funds belonging to minors and of endowments (waqfs).
