A new 55-kilometer route could link the emirate's two main airports

Dubai is considering a project for a new express metro line that could connect Dubai International Airport (DXB) with Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

The preliminary concept involves building a route approximately 55 kilometers long with five stations. The project has been given the working title "Airport Express Line."

According to reports, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has invited consultants to bid on the study and design of the future line. However, the RTA has not yet officially confirmed the final project parameters, so the route, number of stations, and implementation timeline are still subject to change.

If approved, the project will become a key element in the development of Dubai's transport infrastructure, set against the backdrop of the massive expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport and the gradual formation of a new economic hub in the southern part of the emirate.

The Airport Express Line could become part of the Red Line

According to preliminary plans, the new line could be integrated into the existing Dubai Metro Red Line.

The route is expected to begin near the existing metro stations at Dubai International Airport, then pass through Al Jaddaf, along Al Khail Road, and continue to a new station in Jumeirah Village Circle.

From JVC, the line is intended to continue toward Al Maktoum International Airport.

The construction of two additional branches is also being considered. One could connect the new JVC station to Al Fardan Exchange, while the second could run toward a new station in Business Bay.

The final layout has not yet been approved, but the project's format demonstrates Dubai's commitment to creating a direct and rapid transport link between the city's current aviation hub and the emirate's future primary airport.

Passengers may be offered additional airport services

The Airport Express Line is being viewed not just as a standard metro line, but as part of a unified transport and aviation infrastructure.

The preliminary concept includes the possibility of providing additional services for air passengers, including:

• remote flight check-in;
• advance baggage drop;
• dedicated security screening procedures;
• more convenient transfers between airports.

If these solutions are implemented, travel between DXB and DWC could become significantly more convenient for transit passengers and city residents alike.

This is particularly important given the gradual shift of aviation activity to Al Maktoum International Airport.

The project is still in its early stages.

According to available information, several international consultants have submitted bids to participate in the design of the Airport Express Line.

Among the participants is AtkinsRéalis, which previously worked on the design of the construction phase for the existing Red and Green lines of the Dubai Metro.

However, the project is currently still in the research and design preparation phase.

It is important to note that the RTA has not yet released official confirmation regarding the final route, budget, construction timeline, or launch date for the line.

Therefore, current information should be considered preliminary.

The Airport Express Line is not connected to the Gold Line.

The proposed airport-to-airport line is, according to available information, a separate project and is not related to the future Dubai Metro Gold Line.

The Gold Line is expected to be completed by approximately 2032.

Thus, Dubai's transport system may develop along several major fronts simultaneously:

• construction of the Blue Line;
• development of the Gold Line;
• the potential launch of the Airport Express Line;
• expansion of existing metro lines;
• an increase in the number of transport hubs.

This scale of modernization aligns with the city's long-term strategy to reduce reliance on private vehicles and improve connectivity between residential, business, and tourist districts.

The Dubai Metro network will be significantly expanded by 2040.

As part of the long-term transport strategy, a substantial increase in the Dubai Metro network is planned.

By 2030, it is expected to include 64 stations and cover an area of approximately 84 square kilometers.

By 2040, the number of stations is planned to increase to 140, and the coverage area is expected to exceed 228 square kilometers.

The expansion of the metro is becoming especially important against the backdrop of Dubai's growing population, the construction of new residential areas, and the increase in passenger traffic.

For the real estate market, the development of public transport is of strategic importance, as new stations can improve the accessibility of districts and increase their appeal to tenants and buyers.

The Blue Line will be the next confirmed stage of metro development

In parallel, the construction of the Blue Line is already underway in Dubai.

The new line will consist of 14 stations across two routes with a total length of approximately 30 kilometers.

The line is scheduled to be commissioned in 2029.

The project is particularly important for developing residential clusters, where improved public transport can significantly reduce travel time to the city's key business districts.

Al Maktoum International Airport will become Dubai's new aviation hub

A potential express metro line is directly linked to the long-term transformation of Al Maktoum International Airport.

Once the project is fully completed, the airport is set to become one of the world's largest aviation hubs, with a capacity of up to 260 million passengers per year.

The transition to DWC as Dubai's primary airport will take place gradually.

According to current plans, the main phase of shifting aviation activity is expected to begin around 2032, with the full development of the airport complex potentially continuing until the middle of the century.

The scale of this project implies the formation of a major business, logistics, and residential cluster around the airport.

Why the new metro line is important for the real estate market

For real estate, the potential emergence of a direct line between DXB and DWC is significant for several reasons.

Firstly, transport accessibility remains one of the key factors when choosing a property for rent or personal residence.

Secondly, the new line could improve connectivity for areas located along the proposed route, including JVC, Business Bay and the areas near Al Khail Road.

Third, the development of DWC will be accompanied by the creation of new jobs and an expansion of business activity in the southern part of the city.

JVC could gain additional transport potential

A particularly interesting element of the preliminary plan is Jumeirah Village Circle.

If a new Airport Express Line station does indeed appear in the area, JVC could gain direct or more convenient connections to both the existing DXB airport and the future DWC aviation hub.

For a district that already has a significant volume of residential real estate, improved transport accessibility could become a major infrastructure advantage.

However, investors should keep in mind that the station is currently part of a preliminary concept and a final decision from the RTA has not yet been released.

Business Bay could also gain a new connection

One of the proposed branches of the Airport Express Line could run towards Business Bay.

If the project is implemented in the proposed configuration, it will create an additional transport link between one of Dubai's largest business districts and the airport infrastructure.

For tenants and property owners in Business Bay, this potentially means more convenient trips to the airports and further integration of the district into the city's transport network.

Infrastructure remains one of the key drivers of real estate value

The history of Dubai's development shows that transport projects can significantly change the appeal of individual districts.

New metro stations can influence:

• daily commute times;
• rental demand;
• end-user interest;
• development of commercial infrastructure;
• real estate liquidity;
• pace of new territory development.

However, the presence of a future station does not in itself guarantee an increase in property value.

Investors need to evaluate a complex set of factors: entry price, supply volume, project quality, infrastructure construction timelines, and actual demand after its launch.

What investors should consider right now

As long as the Airport Express Line has not received official confirmation from the RTA, it is premature to build an investment strategy solely on the basis of a proposed metro line.

When choosing a property near a potential route, it is worth considering:

• confirmed infrastructure projects;
• current transport accessibility;
• actual rental demand;
• volume of housing under construction;
• developer plans;
• the district's prospects independent of the metro.

If the line is officially approved, it could become an additional factor in increasing the attractiveness of certain locations, but it should not be the sole basis for a purchase.

Dubai continues to shape the transport system of the future

The potential launch of the Airport Express Line between DXB and Al Maktoum International Airport aligns with the overall strategy for expanding the city's transport network.

Against the backdrop of the Blue Line construction, plans for the development of the Gold Line, and the large-scale modernization of DWC, Dubai's transport map could change significantly in the coming years.

For the real estate market, this means the emergence of new growth centers and an increase in the importance of districts that gain access to major transport hubs.

However, as the Airport Express Line project remains in the preliminary stage, the key factor for buyers and investors is confirmation of the route and timeline from the RTA.