how many airports in dubai
Dubai has two main international airports: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
Quick Scoop: How many airports in Dubai?
If you’re asking “how many airports in Dubai?” in a travel or ticket‑booking sense, the practical answer is:
- 2 international civilian airports in Dubai city itself :
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) – the big, busy one most passengers use.
* Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), also called Dubai World Central – newer, farther from the city center, currently handling a mix of cargo and some passenger flights but planned to grow massively.
Some detailed guides also mention:
- A military airport in Dubai (Al Minhad/Al Minhadi) , which is not used by tourists but is technically another airfield in the emirate.
- Nearby international airports in other emirates – especially Sharjah (SHJ) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) – which are often marketed in flight searches as alternatives “near Dubai” and used by many Dubai‑bound travelers.
So depending on what you mean:
- “Airports in Dubai for travelers”: 2 (DXB and DWC).
- “Airfields in and around Dubai including military/neighboring emirates”: more, but most people will still fly into DXB or DWC.
Simple table for clarity
| Airport | Code | Location | Type | Commonly counted as “in Dubai”? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai International Airport | DXB | Dubai city | International, major passenger hub | Yes – main Dubai airport | [3][5][9][1]
| Al Maktoum International (Dubai World Central) | DWC | Dubai (south, Dubai South area) | International, growing cargo and passenger operations | Yes – second Dubai airport | [10][5][1][3]
| Al Minhad / Al Minhadi | – | Dubai emirate | Military | Usually no for tourists; not used for commercial flights | [1]
| Sharjah International | SHJ | Emirate of Sharjah (near Dubai) | International | Nearby option often used by Dubai visitors | [9][7][1]
| Abu Dhabi International | AUH | Emirate of Abu Dhabi | International | Also used as a Dubai‑area gateway by some travelers | [7][9]
For flight booking, hotel shuttles, and metro access, assume you’ll be using DXB unless your ticket clearly says DWC.
TL;DR:
- Short, practical answer: Dubai has 2 international airports (DXB and DWC).
- There is also a military airbase in the emirate and nearby international airports in other emirates that serve many Dubai‑bound passengers.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.