Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA)

Dubai Airport Freezone, popularly abbreviated as DAFZ and DAFZA, is a free commercial zone in Dubai. Established in 1996, it is adjacent to Dubai International Airport. This tax-free economic zone in Dubai facilitates more than 20 business sectors including logistics and freight, IT, aviation, telecommunications, engineering, food and beverage, jewellery and cosmetics. It is home to over 2,500 registered businesses and 20,000 professionals looking to benefit from the business-friendly laws and a range of world-class facilities offered by DAFZ.

• Tax-free regulated economic zone near Dubai International Airport
• Facilitates businesses associated with over 20 different industries
• Offer a variety of company licensing
• Extensive cargo handling ability
• World-class infrastructure

Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) was established in 1996 as part of the plan to develop economic free zones in the UAE. Today it is one of the most rapidly growing free zones in the region. More than 2,500 companies and businesses have been set up here, where the number of working professionals has exceeded 20,000. Offering a set of unmatched business facilities such as world-class infrastructure, smooth logistics and full business ownership, the Dubai Airport Free Zone area also provides complete registration of business under a proper company license. Furthermore, to smoothen the process or business setup, DAFZ also provides professional support in getting visas as per one’s need.

Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) provides a diverse selection of customisable options to meet any business’s requirements. There is an abundance of furnished offices, workspaces, customisable warehouses, industrial units and retail spaces to facilitate a variety of companies in one place. There are some hotel apartments in Dubai Airport Freezone on rent as well, mostly occupied by those working within the Dubai Airport Freezone.

There are rental office spaces in DAFZA starting from 269 sq. ft. These offices are fully furnished with IT services, housekeeping and reserved parking space. A variety of warehouses are available with some having cold storage facilities to suit business requirements. The average size of a warehouse in the Dubai Airport Free Zone area is about 3,358 sq. ft. DAFZ Square Retail Centre in DAFZ serves as the permanent retail space in the area which offers rental shops in DAFZA. For big corporate businesses, commercial buildings for sale in DAFZA are also available for sale.

People with families can consider living in residential areas near DAFZA metro station and conveniently travel to DAFZA for work via Dubai Metro.

The network of roads around DAFZA is well-planned to facilitate the companies especially related to the logistics and freight forwarding. Al Quds Street (D91) surrounds the area and connects to Al Ittihad Street (E11) on one side. Moreover, you can get to the main Beirut Street (D62) on the other side, which further connects to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).

Since the Dubai Airport Free Zone area is largely commercial, there are sufficient parking spaces to facilitate visitors as well.

Those who prefer commuting via public transportation in the Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA) can take a bus from the central bus station. Bus links that shuttle from here include 13B, 17, C26 and F08. These buses go all the way to key areas including Wasl Park, Al Nahda 2, Dubai Festival Centre, Al Qusais Industrial Area and Gold Souk Station.

Hotels near Dubai Airport Freezone area include:

• Fortune Plaza Hotel
• Time Grand Plaza Hotel
• Dubai Grand Hotel by Fortune

Fortune Plaza Hotel is an affordable hotel in Dubai, located in the vicinity of DAFZA. All of these hotels are 5 to 10 minutes away from Dubai Airport Freezone Area.

ZOOM convenience store concludes the list of supermarkets in Dubai Airport Freezone. It is located inside DAFZ Square Retail Centre. For more variety, one can access local shops and marts in the neighbouring communities including West Zone Fresh Supermarket, which is a 15-minute walk.

There is a community mosque in DAFZA to facilitate people living or working in the area.

As for churches near DAFZA, Kingdom Church Dubai is the nearest. It is located in Al Mulla Plaza, Al Qusais. It is around a 9-minute drive away.

The campus of Hummingbird Nursery school in Dubai Airport Freezone is the most convenient to access from any part of the community. It is a British nursery.

There are some primary and secondary schools near DAFZA such as Star International School, Modern Renaissance School, Cambridge International School and New World Private School.

Star International School is in Al Twar 2, around 4 minutes away from DAFZA. It offers an all-inclusive curriculum from the Foundation Stage until secondary grades.

For primary medical care, there is a DAFZA Medical Fitness Centre in the area. It is licensed by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). For tertiary care, Aster Hospital near Dubai Airport Freezone is a 9-minute drive away.  It is located in Al Qusais 3.

As the name suggests, DAFZA is located in the airport freezone region. It is bound by some key streets connecting the area to the main road network. Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) is adjacent to the Dubai International Airport, right across which you can find is Al Garhoud. Towards the northern boundaries of DAFZA, one can find Al Twar and Al Qusais.

DAFZ Square Retail Centre boasts outlets of apparel and cosmetics as well as restaurants and cafes. Branded retailers in the mall in Dubai Airport Freezone area are The Cosmetics Company Store, Clarins, Enjoy Bijoux, Vision Palace and Victoria’s Secret.

DAFZA is a 14-minute drive from Deira City Centre. It is one of the biggest shopping destinations in the region offering a wide range of restaurants, brand outlets and a hypermarket.

There are various multi-cuisine restaurants in Dubai Airport Freezone such as Asian 5, Hungry Habibi, My Shawarma, Budget Mandi, Spring Onion Cafe & Restaurant, Food Castle Express Restaurant, Kanaha Restaurant and Flavors. Most of these options are concentrated within the food court in DAFZA Square Retail Centre.

At a 12-minute drive from DAFZA, there is Al Mamzar Public Beach. The sandy picnic spot is home to a family park and various fun activities for kids and adults alike. It is one of the most popular beaches and attractions in Dubai.

The key landmark near DAFZA is definitely the Dubai International Airport, located right next to it. Moreover, the area has direct access to Al Ittihad Road (E11) which connects to the culturally and historically rich community of Dubai, Deira. There is a popular landmark called Deira Clocktower, a monument built as a tribute to the first oil exports from the UAE.

It will be a 17-minute long drive to Al Mamzar Beach Park from Dubai Airport Freezone. The leisure point offers many activities and a range of eateries.

There are many parks in Al Twar a short drive away from DAFZA. These include central parks for families, jogging tracks and playgrounds for kids. Golfers around the area like to visit Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club. It has an 18-hole championship golf course around 13 minutes away from DAFZA.

A fitness centre called METROFITT and a barber shop are present in the DAFZA Square Retail Centre to facilitate workers and visitors.

Dubai Airport Freezone is part of the strategic plan that was meant to facilitate foreign businesses with custom-free policies. It is a rapidly growing free zone in Dubai and a busy area near the international airport with a few residential and commercial developments. Mostly, there are offices, showrooms, warehouses and other commercial units on offer but one can also find a few hotel apartments, most suited to those who work around the district.

Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA) is a dynamic business hub in Dubai, UAE. It is a UAE tax-free zone that allows companies to make the most of business-friendly laws and world-class infrastructure.

Setting up a company in DAFZA requires licensing as per the business type. There are many companies already operating in Dubai Airport Freezone such as Airbus Middle East, DHL, Prestigeland and others.

Setting up a business in Dubai Airport Freezone requires a valid license. There are four types of licenses offered in this regard:

• Trade License
• Service License
• Industrial License
• General Trading License

Dubai Airport Free Zone zip code is 00000.

Dubai Airport Free Zone location is near Dubai International Airport.

The minimum share capital for a DAFZA company is AED 1.

Various types of companies can operate in Dubai Airport Freezone including electronics, IT, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, cosmetics, construction, food and beverage, etc.

• 12 minutes away from Deira
• An 8-minute drive from Port Saeed
• 8 to 10 minutes away from the Dubai International Airport