Dubai is aiming to develop a unanimous rail line that will reportedly link Dubai International Airport (DXB) with Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The RTA has opened bidding from consultants to plan Dubai’s first Airport Express Line.
Consultants have a deadline of June 2026 to submit their proposals. Authorities will determine the complete scope of the project only after they approve a proposal. There has been no official announcement of budget details or project timeline at this stage.
Route And Stations
The metro line is projected to stretch up to 55 kilometers with five stations. The existing Red Line metro at DXB will mark the start of the route which will pass through Al Jaddaf, run parallel to Al Khail Road, turning towards a new station at Jumeirah Village Circle, and continue to DWC. The proposal also includes two additional lines, including one linking Jumeirah Village Circle to Al Fardan Exchange metro station, and another heading toward Business Bay.
Airport Express Line: More Than A Metro
The project’s proposed passenger experience separates it from the regular metro. In particular, the line could assist the passengers to complete departure formalities before even reaching the airport. It could offer remote check-ins, baggage drop-off, and security screening at metro stations.
CEO Dubai Airports, Paul Griffiths, stated earlier that passengers could eventually check bags at train stations. This concept sits well with Dubai 10X City Terminal Initiative that aims to allow travellers to check in from locations across the city.
The DWC Dimension
The Airport Express Line is different from the already planned Route 2020 extension to DWC’s west terminal. The extension adds three kilometers and covers two new stations as authorities transform DWC into a 260-million-passenger hub. The rail connectivity to Al Maktoum International Airport is a long-term structural necessity. It’s being developed as a full urban district within Dubai South.
Dubai’s infrastructure is operating at a strong pace that only a few global cities can match. The Airport Express Line proposal is parallel to the Gold Line announcement made on April 22 and the Blue Line currently under development.
For residents, travel between the city center, DXB and DWC will require no car, taxi, or connection to a different transport system. The rail will anchor the city’s transport network.
Also Read: https://timesofdubai.ae/metro-gold-line-dubais-largest-transport-project/
