Dubai is moving ahead with plans for a new high-speed transport connection between its two major aviation hubs, as the emirate prepares its infrastructure for the gradual expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport. The proposed Airport Express would create a direct link between Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central, reducing the need for passengers to rely on road transfers between the two locations.
The planned route is expected to extend for about 55 kilometres and include five stations. The project would become an important part of Dubai’s broader transport network at a time when the city is investing heavily in both aviation capacity and public mobility. The connection is particularly significant because Dubai International Airport remains the emirate’s primary passenger hub, while Al Maktoum International is being developed to take on a much larger role over the coming years.
According to The National, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has identified six bidders for the project’s design-and-build tender. A final construction schedule has not yet been announced, meaning the project remains at the procurement and planning stage rather than being a confirmed operational transport service.
New rail link supports Dubai’s aviation expansion
The Airport Express is closely connected to the transformation of Al Maktoum International Airport, also known as Dubai World Central. Dubai is developing the airport as the centrepiece of its long-term aviation strategy, with construction already progressing across several major infrastructure packages.
The scale of that transformation is substantial. Dubai authorities expect Al Maktoum International to eventually handle more than 260 million passengers annually and up to 12 million tonnes of cargo. The final airport configuration is planned to include five parallel runways, two passenger terminals, seven concourses and more than 430 aircraft stands. The first phase is currently scheduled to begin operations in 2032.
A direct transport corridor between DXB and DWC could therefore become increasingly important as airport operations evolve. At present, passengers travelling to Al Maktoum International can use a combination of the Dubai Metro Red Line and connecting bus services. A dedicated express connection would offer a more integrated alternative and could simplify transfers as passenger volumes at DWC increase.
The project also fits into a wider programme of transport investment across Dubai. Public transport, shared mobility services and taxis carried approximately 348 million passengers during the first half of 2026. Dubai Metro alone accounted for 39.2% of total journeys, demonstrating the growing importance of rail-based mobility as the emirate’s population and visitor numbers expand.
Al Maktoum becomes central to Dubai’s long-term strategy
Development of DWC has already entered a major construction phase. More than AED 13 billion worth of contracts were under execution by mid-2026, while Dubai was preparing to award additional strategic packages valued at more than AED 55 billion. These works cover terminal structures, aircraft concourses, baggage systems, automated passenger transport and supporting infrastructure.
The airport expansion is intended to do more than increase passenger capacity. It is also designed to strengthen Dubai’s position as an international centre for tourism, trade and logistics. The development includes multimodal connections linking aviation with rail and road networks, making ground transport a crucial part of the overall project.
That makes the proposed Airport Express strategically important even before DWC reaches its full capacity. Dubai will eventually need to manage passenger flows between an established global hub at DXB and a rapidly expanding airport in the south of the emirate. A direct rail connection could help make that transition more efficient while limiting additional pressure on the road network.
Airport connection could reshape passenger mobility
The new line could also influence development along Dubai’s expanding southern corridor. Areas surrounding Dubai South and Al Maktoum International are attracting investment as aviation, logistics, residential and commercial projects move closer to the future airport. Improved public transport connectivity would strengthen access between these emerging districts and established parts of the city.
However, several important details still need to be confirmed. Authorities have yet to announce the final alignment, station locations, construction cost or opening date for the Airport Express. These elements will determine how closely the project integrates with the existing Dubai Metro and other planned transport infrastructure.
For now, the progress of the tender indicates that Dubai is preparing the ground transport system required for the next stage of its aviation expansion. As Al Maktoum International moves toward becoming one of the world’s largest aviation hubs, the proposed 55-kilometre Airport Express could become a key link connecting Dubai’s current airport with the centre of its future air transport network.