Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is set to become one of the world's largest airports — and to move passengers efficiently across its vast site, Dubai Airports plans to build a comprehensive underground train system connecting all eight of its concourses.
Paul Griffiths Reveals Underground Train at ATM 2025
Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths unveiled the plan during a presentation at the Arabian Travel Market 2025. He said the sheer scale of the site makes a fast internal transit network essential: "We need to build an efficient and competitive system."
Passengers using the Al Maktoum Airport underground train can expect a journey time of between 15 and 20 minutes between concourses. Griffiths confirmed that the design team has agreed the system will use seated carriages — a deliberate choice given the length of the ride.
Eight Concourses, One Seamless Network
The underground train network at DWC is designed to streamline passenger flow across what will function as a single, sprawling terminal complex. The eight concourse buildings will be linked by the rail system, significantly reducing the walking distances that passengers would otherwise face inside an airport of this scale.
The primary goals guiding the system's design are comfort, speed, and ease of access. Griffiths noted that several design configurations are still being evaluated to achieve the best possible outcome for travellers.
2030 Phase One, Full Completion by 2050
The airport's first operational phase is targeted for 2030, at which point it aims to handle up to 130 million passengers per year. Full build-out of Al Maktoum International Airport is scheduled for completion by 2050, by which time it is expected to serve up to 260 million passengers annually.
Griffiths acknowledged that final construction plans may differ from current blueprints as technology continues to evolve rapidly. Even so, the commitment to an underground people-mover represents a defining feature of Dubai's ambition to reshape long-haul aviation.
The underground train is one of several innovations planned for the $35 billion airport, which is intended to eventually replace Dubai International (DXB) as the emirate's primary aviation hub.
