• 1960s: plenty of parking space and a single aircraft.
    1960s: plenty of parking space and a single aircraft.
  • 1970s: a single runway stretches across a barren city.
    1970s: a single runway stretches across a barren city.
  • 1971: the first airport had only four gates.
    1971: the first airport had only four gates.
  • 1970s: the lounge was somewhat minimal 47 years ago.
    1970s: the lounge was somewhat minimal 47 years ago.
  • 1980s: passengers pass the time before their flight the old fashion way, without WiFi
    1980s: passengers pass the time before their flight the old fashion way, without WiFi
  • 1990s: The airport is expanded.
    1990s: The airport is expanded.
  • 2000s: the airport is expanded to include more runways, another terminal and serves more passengers.
    2000s: the airport is expanded to include more runways, another terminal and serves more passengers.
  • Dubai International Airport in all its glory, now.
    Dubai International Airport in all its glory, now.

UAE

The changing face of Dubai International Airport, over 50 years - in pictures

The National staff

April 09, 2017

  • English
  • Arabic

Dubai International Airport opened in 1960 after the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, ordered its construction. The airport has since surpassed Heathrow as the world’s busiest airport, serving more than 66 million passengers a year.

This is how DXB went from a desert landing strip, to the world’s busiest airport in a little more than 50 years.

All photos courtesy Dubai Airports

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