Dubai Airports has announced a bold new plan: over the next decade, both Dubai International Airport (DXB), which is one of the busiest in the world in 2025, and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) [which is set to have a projected annual capacity of 260 million travelers, constitute of 400 passenger gates, and become the largest aerodrome in the world] will be transformed into the world’s most accessible and inclusive aviation hubs.
Accessibility is set to become the anchor that will hold the element of Dubai’s future in air travel, and it will be driven by alignment with global best practices and the UAE’s commitment to the rights of People of Determination (PoD).
Top 5: Ways in which US airports are adapting to cater to travelers with accessibility requirements
The strategy emphasizes enhancing guest experience across every touchpoint, reinforcing strong foundations, and repositioning DXB and DWC as global leaders in inclusive travel by 2035. It also seeks to embed cultural and operational change across Dubai’s aviation ecosystem, making accessibility not just a goal but a default standard.
Why this accessibility push for Dubai….Now?
DXB serves as a hub for Emirates (EK), which is Middle East’s busiest airline by fight hours in 2025, and flydubai (FZ). This aerodrome handles tens of millions of international passengers annually [in February 2025 along, the airport offered services to 4,782,140 passengers]and functions as a global gateway.
With growing scrutiny of accessibility in transportation, Dubai’s pledge signals both leadership and risk: those expectations will be measured. In United States, for example, some airports already have:
- Wheelchair Assistance and Guided services inside the airport, at the terminals, and in security checks.
- Sensory-friendly areas such as Quiet/meditation spaces or chapels that can either stimulate or calm (depending upon the travelers’ requirements). These are designed to help autism and special needs. I.e, neuro-divergent travelers.
- The FAA even mandates “At least one ambulatory accessible toilet compartment in restrooms with at least 6 toilet compartments or where the combined total of toilets and urinals is at least 6 fixtures”.
In order to catch up with airports that provide such facilities, DWC, which is located in the Jebel Ali area of Dubai, already has ambitious expansion plans.
For many disability advocates and frequent travellers with special needs, the promise is long overdue. The gulf between infrastructure that is technically “accessible” and one that is truly inclusive is wide.
In Chicago O’Hare Airport, for instance, “All shuttle buses from the ATS (Air Traffic Service) to the Remote Parking Lots kneel to the curb and offer securement systems for passengers with wheelchairs. Each bus can accommodate two passengers riding in wheelchairs.”
Eligible passengers can also use the paratransit services at ORD. The ADA Paratransit program offers transportation for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use standard fixed-route public transit either partially or entirely.
In light of such developments around the world, Dubai is also integrating empathy, training, and universal design at scale.
What Dubai’s 2035 vision for a super accessible airport includes?
The 10-year strategy for the aforementioned two airports to become the most accessible in the world includes physical, digital, and cultural enhancements such as:
- Terminal Layouts
- Pathway guidance
- Signage
- Ease of navigation
It will also mean that the airport will focus on support services such as wheelchair access, hearing loops, tactile guidance, and staff training to ensure both visible and hidden disabilities are accommodated.
Alongside the strategy, Dubai Airports is launching a “DXB for All” public awareness campaign co-created with the PoD community. According to Majed Al Joker, Chief Operating Officer at Dubai Airports:
“Our commitment to accessibility is not just a promise; it is a core pillar of our mission to deliver a world-class travel experience for every single guest. By working closely with our partners and, most importantly … with the wider People of Determination community, we are transforming the entire airport journey and setting a new global standard for accessible travel. By co-creating this campaign with People of Determination, we are ensuring their voices shape how we design, operate and connect as an airport, not only with our guests, but the wider community we serve.”
Six personal stories that cover sensory sensitivity, visual impairment, hearing challenges, mobility issues, autism, and more will be shared to humanize the journey and inspire mindset shifts among staff and the public. Here is a list of all people whose stories will be shared:
| Name | Description |
| Fatma Al Jassim | Emirati accessibility pioneer |
| Jessica Smith | Award-winning disability inclusion consultant; former Paralympic swimmer |
| Yasmin Carey & Ellis | Dubai-based mother and her son Ellis, who is on the autism spectrum |
| Layth Kamal | Lives with autism and ADHD |
| Mohammed Alghafli | Advocate for the visually impaired |
| Ahmed Butti | Representative of the deaf community |
To support implementation, the oneDXB partner ecosystem will include the following:
- dnata
- Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS)
- Dubai Customs
- Dubai Duty Free
- Dubai Health
- Dubai Police
- Dubai Taxi Company (DTC)
- Emirates
- flydubai
- General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDIFA)
- Serco
- Other airlines
Prior Efforts and Similar Initiatives
To put Dubai’s ambition in context, airports and transport systems around the world have attempted accessibility overhauls. Below is a comparison of notable cases:
| Airport / System | Goal or Incident | Outcome & Challenges | Key Lessons |
| Heathrow (LHR), UK | Improve terminal accessibility (ongoing) | Incremental upgrades, but criticism over signage, elevator downtime | Comprehensive staff training and real-time maintenance are crucial |
| Tokyo Haneda (HND) | Universal design for Tokyo 2020 Olympics | Upgrades to tactile paving, accessible toilets succeeded, but congestion remained | Accessibility must pair with capacity scaling |
| Singapore Changi (SIN) | Inclusive terminal design:
|
High standards achieved, but occasional staff service gaps reported | Design is necessary but not sufficient—operations matter |
| Sydney Airport (SYD) | Equip movable ramps, pathway guidance | Mixed results—some terminals lag behind others | Consistency across terminals is a common struggle |
These examples show that infrastructure alone cannot fulfill accessibility goals; long-term success depends on integration, consistency, monitoring, and adaptation.
All in All: Can DXB and DWC Succeed?
Dubai Airports’ ambition to become the world’s most accessible airports by 2035 is bold, yet credible but it will require an amalgamation of infrastructure upgrades, cultural transformation, stakeholder collaboration, and legal alignment provides a strong foundation.
Overpromising and underdelivering is a risk many airports have faced. If DXB and DWC benchmark progress, and stay accountable to PoD voices, they may indeed reset the standard for inclusive air travel.
The real test for Dubai Airports to become the most accessible airport in the world in the next decade will be consistent execution across all terminals and services.