65 Years Of DXB: How Dubai Airport Grew From One Terminal In 1960 To AI Corridor In 2025

The world's busiest airport began its journey 65 years ago with a small terminal, a humble sandy runway, and sky-high ambitions. It officially opened its doors on September 30, 1960; the years ahead saw major construction take place to connect UAE travellers to international destinations.

In 2025, the development has not stopped – Dubai International Airport (DXB) recently unveiled a smart corridor at Terminal 3 , doing away with the days of long lines for immigration.

The 'Red Carpet' AI-powered system enables up to 10 travellers to complete immigration simultaneously, in seconds, without passport scans, document checks, or physically stopping at counters.

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On the 65th anniversary of the giant aviation hub, Dubai Airports Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, shared a rare glimpse into the first days of DXB. Watch the video here:

From an airport that could only handle aircraft up to the size of DC-3, to now serving over 92 international carriers, the airport has grown by leaps and bounds. Here's a timeline of how the aviation giant evolved in more than six decades:

1959: Work began to establish the airport on what was then a wasteland, around four kilometres away from the edge of the city at the time.

1960 : In one year after construction began, the airport opened with a sand-compacted runway, and a single terminal

1963 : The emirate began work on an asphalt runway, and within two years, opened it, along with other upgrades.

1969 : In less than a decade after its opening, the airport was already serving nine airlines, which connected as many as 20 destinations.

1970: Ten years later, a new three-storey terminal building, a new control tower, additional taxiways, airfield lighting and landing instrument, are added.

1983: Now almost synonymous to Dubai Airport, this was the year that Dubai Duty Free first started its operations, with a turnover of $20 million.

1984: The second runway opened with a Category II classification, with the latest airfield lighting and instrument landing systems, in April.

1985 : UAE's flag carrier Emirates is launched.

1998: Terminal 2 opens, increasing DXB's capacity by as much as 2 million passengers per annum

2000: Forty years in, Concourse 1 (now Concourse C) opens. It marks a turning point in the airport's history, and was built as part of the first phase of the general expansion project at a cost of Dh2 billion.

2008: For the exclusive use of Emirates Airline, Terminal 3 opens, expanding the airport's capacity to a whopping 30 million passengers.

2009 : DXB becomes the world's fastest growing airport among the top 50 hubs, crossing the 40-million passenger mark. The year also marked the launch of Emirates' sister airline, flydubai.

2013 : Concourse A, the world's largest facility purpose built for the A380, opens.

2014 : DXB starts its legacy of being the world's number one airport for international passenger traffic.

2016 : $1.2-billion Concourse D, operating out of Terminal 1, and serving more than 60 international carriers opens.

2018 : DXB welcomes its one billionth passenger.

2020 : As the world is hit by the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, DXB remains resilient. After a brief closure, it becomes one of the first major hubs globally to re-open on July 7 after suspending operations partially on March 25.

2023 : The major aviation hub remains committed to inclusivity, offering a seamless experience for travellers with diverse needs. The airport's efforts are recognised, with accreditation from the Airports Council International (ACI) under Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation Programme.

2025 : The airport unveils a smart corridor, allowing passengers to complete immigration in seconds, without the need for travel documents. DXB remains the world's busiest airport for its 11th consecutive year.

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