Here at Time Out Dubai, it’s easy to believe that our city stands as the epicenter of the universe. However, what is indisputable is that Dubai has become one of the world’s largest travel hubs. Yet, this was not always the case. There was a time when what is now known as DXB Airport was merely a stretch of barren land on the outskirts of a growing metropolis. Over the decades, Dubai International Airport has experienced transformative changes, evolving from a single runway in the desert to the world’s busiest airport for international travelers.

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The visual evolution of DXB is quite remarkable, and as we approach its 64th birthday on Monday, September 30, it’s an opportune moment to delve into the archives and reflect on how dramatically both the airport and the city surrounding it have transformed.

History of DXB: The Early Years

Old DXB: Crowds gather outside Dubai International Airport in 1960 (Credit: DXB Airports). Although Dubai International Airport officially opened in 1960, the city had already been serving as a strategic stopover en route to Pakistan from the UK since the 1930s. During that era, large flying boats from the British Overseas Airways Corporation would pause at Dubai Creek on their way to Karachi. These stops allowed the flights to refuel and restock before continuing their journey. Initially, this was the primary function of Dubai International Airport.

In the 1950s, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, then ruler of Dubai, recognized the need for a dedicated airport, as there was no direct air service to the city. Interestingly, Sharjah already had an airport operated by the British army at that time. Consequently, travelers wishing to reach Dubai would first fly to Bahrain, then take a short flight to Sharjah, and finally drive to Dubai. How times have changed!

By 1960, Sheikh Rashid’s vision was realized, and Dubai finally had its own airport. Constructed on a 4-kilometer stretch of wasteland in Al Garhoud, it was originally only capable of accommodating aircraft the size of a DC-3, which could carry between 21 and 34 passengers. However, the plan for an airport had initially centered around Jebel Ali, but concerns regarding distance from the city shifted the location.

The first sandy runway of Dubai (Credit: DXB Airports) was compacted sand measuring 1,800 meters in length, featuring three turning areas and a small terminal that could handle around 200 passengers daily. Arrivals were swift, with a single immigration officer processing passports. The terminal featured a couple of shops for passengers to browse before they headed out to the car park in search of a taxi.

A Middle East Airlines flight was the first to land at DXB. Unfortunately, when MEA and Kuwait Airways began landing with larger four-engine Viscounts, the sandy runway was said to blow away!

By 1965, the initial sandy runway was replaced with an asphalt one, along with several newly constructed facilities. A Gulf Aviation Heron plane graced the old desert runway in the 1960s (Credit: DXB Airports).

The 1970s marked a significant era of modernization for Dubai International Airport. A new three-story terminal was built, a traffic control tower was established, more taxiways were added, the runway was lengthened, aprons were extended, and lighting was introduced to the airfield. All these upgrades paved the way for the airport we recognize today.

The expanded terminal enabled the construction of an airport lounge, providing passengers with a comfortable place to relax before their flights. Photos from the 1970s show the lounge at Dubai International Airport (Credit: Dubai Airports) bustling with activity.

History of DXB Airport: The Arrival of Emirates

The 1980s proved to be a pivotal decade for DXB, marked by the launch of Dubai Duty Free in 1983, the installation of a second runway, and the inaugural operations of Emirates Airlines. The idea for Emirates was proposed by Sheikh Al Maktoum in 1984, and remarkably, the Dubai National Air Travel Agency was established within five months, leading to Emirates’ first flight in October 1985.

The airline’s mission was clear: it had to “look good, be good, and make money.” The airline achieved this goal remarkably well. Similar to early flights that stopped in Dubai en route to South Asia, Emirates initially commenced operations to Karachi and Mumbai.

By 1988, Dubai International Airport welcomed over 4.3 million passengers through its gates, showcasing its rapid growth and increasing significance on the global aviation stage.

History of DXB Airport: The Opening of Terminal 2

As Dubai flourished during the 1990s, so too did its airport, culminating in the opening of Terminal 2 by the end of the millennium. In 1998, this new terminal enhanced passenger capacity by an additional two million travelers per year.

Photos from the 1990s depict a bustling Dubai International Airport (Credit: DXB Airports), highlighting the growth and modernization of the facility.

History of DXB Airport: The Modern Era

Entering the 2000s, DXB began to truly take off. In 2002, it was recognized as the fastest-growing airport in the world, and for good reason. A Dhs2 billion expansion project more than doubled its capacity from 10 million to 23 million passengers, including the construction of a new concourse. The upward trend continued in 2008 with the addition of a third terminal, allowing the airport to accommodate 60 million passengers.

In 2009, DXB welcomed 40 million passengers for the first time, coinciding with the launch of flydubai and the initiation of further developments, including plans for another concourse. By 2014, DXB earned the title of the world’s leading airport for international passenger traffic, accommodating an impressive 70.4 million travelers in just one year. Since then, it has maintained this esteemed status.

History of DXB: Looking Ahead

Earlier in 2024, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum unveiled ambitious plans for a substantial Dhs128 billion expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, located in Jebel Ali. This second airport, which has been operational since 2010, aims to significantly enhance the city’s aviation capabilities. Renderings of the proposed Al Maktoum International Airport (Credit: Dubai Media Office) indicate a future capacity of 260 million passengers, although the realization of these plans may take over a decade.

As for DXB, its future remains uncertain once Al Maktoum International Airport reaches completion, but one thing is clear: the evolution of Dubai International Airport will continue to unfold.

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