Facilities Ranking
Safety Ranking
Environmental Ranking
• Region: Middle East
• Country/State: United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
• City/Town: Dubai
• Website: https://www.dubaiairports.ae
• Type of Airport: International
• Airport code/s:
o IATA: DXB
o ICAO: OMDB
• Terminals:
– Terminal 1 (international)
– Terminal 2 (regional, low-cost and charter operations)
– Terminal 3 (Emirates-only; one of the world’s largest terminal buildings)
• Passenger numbers:
– ~86.9 million passengers (calendar year 2024; world’s busiest international airport)
Parking
• Short-term: Multi-storey short-stay parking at all terminals with direct terminal access
• Long-term: Long-stay parking available with daily caps and advance booking
• Valet: Official valet parking services available at Terminals 1 and 3 (premium paid service)
Hotel
• On site:
– Dubai International Hotel (inside Terminal 3 and Terminal 1, airside and landside sections)
• Nearby:
– Extensive range of international-brand hotels in Deira, Garhoud and central Dubai
Other facilities
• Restaurants/cafes: Extensive international dining across all terminals
• Bars: Licensed bars and restaurants primarily in airside areas and lounges
• Lounges: Emirates lounges (multiple), SkyTeam/oneworld/Star Alliance partner lounges, independent lounges
• Duty-free shops: One of the world’s largest duty-free operations (Dubai Duty Free)
• Gift shops/newsagent/chemist: Souvenirs, books, convenience stores and pharmacies
• On-site travel agent: Limited; airline service desks and transfer desks instead
• Help desk/Lost & found: Airport information desks and centralised lost & found service
• Car rental: Major international and regional car-rental brands on site
• Taxi/transport to city: Taxis, ride-hailing services, Dubai Metro Red Line, buses
• Baby/parent room: Baby care rooms and family facilities throughout terminals
• Business center/free-Wi-Fi/charging: Free high-speed Wi-Fi; extensive charging points; business services via lounges
• Gym: Fitness and wellness facilities available within Dubai International Hotel and some lounges
• Beauty center/hairdresser: Spas, salons and grooming services available airside
• Other facilities: Medical clinics, prayer rooms, sleep pods, art installations
• Biometric check-in: Biometric self-service check-in and boarding widely used by Emirates and partner airlines
• Biometric customs: Biometric immigration using facial recognition and Smart Gates for eligible travellers
Disabled/accessibility
• Free PRM assistance available; request via airline in advance
• Wheelchair assistance from curbside to gate and arrival halls
• Step-free access throughout terminals with ramps, elevators and wide corridors
• Accessible parking spaces near terminal entrances
• Accessible toilets throughout terminals
• Priority security and immigration lanes available
• Assistance dogs permitted (subject to UAE regulations)
• Support for non-visible disabilities via trained staff
• Dubai Metro stations serving DXB include elevators, tactile paving and audible announcements
Runways
• Runway 12R/30L
• Runway 12L/30R
Length/Width
• 12R/30L: ~4,000 m × 60 m
• 12L/30R: ~4,000 m × 60 m
• Both runways support Code F aircraft operations (A380-capable)
Grooving of runways
• Grooved runway surfaces used to enhance wet-weather braking performance
• Advanced drainage systems mitigate hydroplaning risk during rare heavy rainfall
• Detailed technical specifications published in the UAE AIP
ILS/CAT capability
• Both runways equipped with ILS CAT III capability
• Approved for CAT III low-visibility autoland operations for suitably equipped aircraft and crews
Navigation aids
• Full ILS coverage with PAPI
• VOR/DME navigation aids
• RNAV (GNSS-based) SIDs and STARs
• Advanced surface movement radar and multilateration systems
Low-visibility operations
– Low Visibility Procedures (LVP) in place
– CAT II/III operations used during dust, haze and reduced visibility
– Stop bars and enhanced ATC separation applied
On-time departures (OTP) data
• Airport-specific annual OTP figures not routinely published by the operator
• Industry data typically shows strong international hub performance despite high volumes
• OTP influenced by:
– Dense traffic levels and hub bank peaks
– Weather-related visibility events (dust/haze)
– Airspace complexity in the Gulf region
Airfield restrictions
• Slot-coordinated airport operating near capacity
• Noise abatement procedures apply, though no full curfew
• Temporary runway closures occur during major maintenance programmes (managed via NOTAMs)
• High coordination required during peak Emirates hub waves
Aircraft maintenance
• Extensive aircraft maintenance capability on site
• Major maintenance bases operated by Emirates Engineering
• Line and heavy maintenance available for widebody fleets (A380, B777)
• Strong integration between airport authority, airlines and UAE aviation regulators
Eco-efficient operations (e.g., energy use, carbon minimization, waste management, etc.)
• Dubai Airports operates an ISO 14001–certified environmental management system
• Extensive use of fixed electrical ground power and pre-conditioned air reduces aircraft APU usage
• Energy-efficiency initiatives across terminals, including LED lighting and smart HVAC systems
• Waste reduction, recycling and resource-recovery programs across terminals
Renewable energy use
• On-site solar photovoltaic installations on airport buildings and car parks
• Increasing use of renewable electricity aligned with Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050
• Energy-efficiency remains the primary near-term emissions reduction lever
Availability of biofuel alternatives
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) available on a pilot and airline-driven basis
• Emirates has conducted SAF demonstration and operational flights from DXB
• No airport-mandated SAF blending requirement currently in place
Conservation of biodiversity [actual programs]
• Limited on-site biodiversity due to urban/desert setting
• Landscaping and water-use management aligned with desert-environment sustainability
• Environmental impact assessments required for all major airport developments
Sustainable transportation
• Strong public transport access via Dubai Metro Red Line
• Extensive taxi and ride-hailing networks
• Electrification of airport-owned vehicle fleets underway
• EV charging infrastructure available in airport car parks
Green building design
• Terminal developments incorporate shading, high-performance glazing and thermal efficiency measures
• Energy-efficient cooling systems designed for extreme heat conditions
• Sustainability principles embedded in terminal refurbishment and expansion projects
• Lifecycle efficiency considerations applied to major capital works
