Interesting Dubai Airport facts you should know about
The Dubai International Airport, or DXB Airport, is one of the world’s leading international airports. Anyone who has travelled through the airport in Dubai can vouch for that. It has a massive Duty Free selling top brands, world-class lounges, sleeping pods and much more for travellers to explore. But it’s more than just that. There are a lot of interesting facts about Dubai International Airport that are not known to many.
Here are some unique Dubai Airport facts that prove this international airport is more than just a travel hub with shopping and leisure options.
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Here is a list of fun Dubai Airport facts and figures you probably did not know about.
DUBAI AIRPORT IS OVER 60 YEARS OLD
We start our Dubai Airport facts list with a bit of history. The facility opened on 30th September 1960, with a small terminal building and a sand runway that could only handle an aircraft with a capacity of 21 to 32 passengers. Initially, the tiny airport was mainly used as a refuelling station but was later refurbished with an asphalt runway and other facilities.
By the 1970s, DXB Airport was fully refurbished to welcome international passengers from around the world. Today, DXB Airport connects 260 destinations worldwide and is a transit zone for more than 100 airlines.
THE DXB AIRPORT IS THE WORLD’S SECOND-BUSIEST AIRPORT
The establishment of Dubai Airport has contributed tremendously to the city’s growth by connecting Dubai to the rest of the world. Today, Dubai is a celebrated destination for tourism, trade and finance, so many people choose to visit the city. It’s so popular that Dubai Airport holds the title of the second-busiest airport in the world. In 2023, the airport handled 87 million passengers.
DXB Airport first hit a major milestone for passenger traffic in 2011 when it welcomed 500 million passengers. This figure was surpassed in just seven years after welcoming the one billionth international passenger in 2018.
IT HAS BEEN VOTED AS THE BEST AIRPORT IN THE MIDDLE EAST MULTIPLE TIMES
Being one of the ‘world’s busiest airport’ is not the only title the Dubai International Airport holds. Over the years, the airport has won numerous awards from reputed organisations in various categories.
But one of the most notable titles the DXB Airport has acquired multiple times is ‘Best Airport in the Middle East.’ Business Traveller Middle East, Gulf Business Awards, Frontier Awards, World Travel Awards and many more organisations have awarded this title to the Dubai Airport.
DXB AIRPORT IS AS BIG AS 297 FOOTBALL FIELDS
This is possibly one of our most interesting facts about Dubai International Airport. Combining all three terminals and concourses, the total area of the DXB Airport is 7,200 acres, equivalent to 297 football fields!
Currently, the airport in Dubai can manage 90 million passengers every year, and there are plans underway to increase passenger traffic at Dubai Airport.
THERE’S AN ENTIRE CONCOURSE DEDICATED FOR A380 AIRPLANES
Next on our list of fun facts about Dubai Airport is that it has an entire concourse, Concourse A, dedicated to the arrivals and departures of all Emirates Airlines A380 aircrafts. Following the Australian carrier’s tie-up with Emirates, the facility also serves Qantas.
Concourse A is part of Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport. It opened on 2 January 2013 and spans 528,000 sq. m., which is equivalent to the size of 94 football fields. According to the Dubai International Airport facts sheet, Concourse A handled 22.9 million pieces of luggage and 50,000 flights serving 14.6 million passengers in the first year.
IT HAS A HUGE INDOOR GARDEN
If you’ve travelled through Terminal 3 in Dubai, this is one of the Dubai Airport facts you will already know. Apart from being a terminal dedicated to A380 aircraft, Terminal 3 has a massive Zen Garden with lush trees, a fish pond and tons of benches, where you sit back and relax while you wait for your flight. The garden even has play areas for kids to keep them entertained. If you happen to be travelling through Terminal 3 in the Dubai Airport, visit the garden; it’s a beautiful sight for sore eyes! The Dubai Airport Zen Garden can be found near Gates B7 and B27 in Terminal 3.
THE WORLD’S LARGEST DUTY-FREE STORE
The airport has the world’s largest duty-free store, with an average annual revenue of AED 7 billion. So when travelling via the Dubai Airport, shop till you drop.
Those were our picks of the best DXB Airport interesting facts. Aviation Geeks can also read our blog on major airports in the UAE to learn about this ever-growing industry.
FAQS
What is DXB Airport’s contact number?
The Dubai Airport Phone Number is +971-4-224-5555. This line is available to passengers 24/7. For Dubai immigration-specific queries, call +971-4-313-9999 or email amer@dnrd.ae.
Are there any hotels near Dubai Airport?
Holiday Inn Express, Premier Inn Dubai, Le Méridien Duba Hotel and Mövenpick Grand Al Bustan are some of the best hotels near DXB Airport.
How can I get a Dubai tourist visa?
Travellers can obtain a Dubai tourist visa through multiple methods. Here’s a guide to tourist visas in Dubai that will provide all the information you need.
Dubai Airport has a lot to offer its passengers. If you have a long layover, try out fun activities at Dubai Airport. Visiting luxury Dubai airport lounges is also a great option to relax or grab a bite. It is also recommended not to carry anything from the list of banned food items in Dubai for a hassle-free experience.
Alternatively, if you have much time to spare, apply for a UAE transit visa and explore all the amazing tourist attractions near the Dubai Metro.
