Dubai Airport 2032: Trains to Terminals, No Check-In Queues, Bags in Minutes

Dubai's airport of the future is being built around one simple idea: passengers should not spend their journey standing in queues. At Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), set to begin operations in 2032, bags could be dropped off before travellers reach the terminal, check-in could be completed en route, and passengers could move through the airport without the usual repeated stops for formalities.

Check-in before you reach the airport

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths describes the new hub as a "no red lights" airport — no queues for check-in, immigration, security or customs after arrival. Passengers will check in and drop bags before or during their journey to DWC, then walk a short, convenient route straight to their flight.

14-station underground train inside the airport

Given the sheer scale of Al Maktoum, walking alone won't be enough. The airport will feature an integrated underground Automated People Mover (APM) with a multi-track train and 14 stations, connecting terminals and concourses so transferring passengers reach onward flights via the shortest possible route.

Rail links to the wider UAE

• Etihad Rail is expected to have a stop at Dubai World Central, potentially allowing check-in from train stations before reaching the airport.
• A proposed 55 km Airport Express Line would connect DXB (Al Garhoud) with DWC (Jebel Ali) via five new metro stations.

Baggage in minutes

The airport's baggage handling system is being designed to process tens of thousands of bags per hour. Automated systems will transport, screen and deliver bags across the airport, with arriving passengers expected to collect their luggage within minutes.

World's largest aviation hub

Once fully developed, the Dh128-billion Al Maktoum International Airport will handle more than 260 million passengers a year and 12 million tonnes of cargo, with five independent parallel runways, two passenger terminals and seven concourses serving 430+ aircraft stands.

DXB operations to move to DWC

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has confirmed all Dubai International Airport (DXB) operations will transfer to Al Maktoum over the coming years. Griffiths says DWC will fully absorb DXB's operations within 10 years of opening — after which DXB is expected to close.

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Source: Khaleej Times, 19 June 2026.