Dubai International Airport (DXB)
History, Facts and Overview

(Dubai, United Arab Emirates, UAE)

Plans for Dubai's much talked about airport were drawn up towards the end of the 1950s and construction work soon began. In 1960, Dubai International Airport (DXB) was officially inaugurated and was soon serving around ten different airlines.

The city quickly became the ultimate luxury holiday resort and home to an increasing number of spectacular hotels, including the world-famous seven-star Hotel Burj Al Arab. By 1980, just over 2.7 million passengers were using the facility each year, and increased passenger levels soon meant the Dubai Airport needed to expand. In 2007, a third terminal building was completed, for the use of the local Emirates airline. Dubai International Airport is capable of accommodating the new Airbus A380 and allowing for passenger numbers to rise well above 50 million each year.


Dubai International Airport boasts a wide array of facilities within the Sheikh Rashid Terminal. Banking, Internet, entertainment, business, medical and postal services are available, as well as the G-Force health club and an airport hotel. A huge variety of restaurants are located on site, numbering more than 25, together with an impressive food court. Particularly popular is the Irish-style pub, the Lebanese bistro, Starbucks coffee shop and the Tansu Kitchen.

There is also a large duty-free shopping centre at Dubai International Airport, including the award-winning Dubai Duty Free outlet. Those in need of business amenities will find a large conference room and lounges at the Connect Business Centre, and meeting rooms at the adjacent Dubai International Hotel.