Al Maktoum International Airport / Dubai World Central (OMDW) sits 30 miles southwest of central Dubai in Jebel Ali. It is the planned successor to OMDB as Dubai's principal commercial airport and is structurally being built as the largest airport in the world. For business aviation, OMDW is increasingly the default Dubai answer — particularly for newly-based fractional and corporate fleets — given the much faster turns, lower slot pressure, and dedicated business-aviation infrastructure that the field offers compared to the congested OMDB.
The single runway 12/30 is 14,765 feet — substantial headroom for any current business jet at MTOW for transatlantic or transpacific departures. Two FBOs (DC Aviation Al-Futtaim and ExecuJet) handle business movements with substantial hangar capacity and full FBO services that increasingly compete with the established OMDB ramp. Field elevation is 167 feet, no density-altitude concerns. The dominant operational considerations are the same Dubai summer heat (45°C+ highs that affect ground operations), occasional sandstorms, and the structural shift in Dubai's airport infrastructure as commercial operations gradually migrate from OMDB to OMDW. Ground time to Downtown Dubai is 40–55 minutes; the Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah are 25–40; Abu Dhabi is 90 minutes by road.
Frequently asked questions about Al Maktoum International Airport
What is OMDW airport?+
OMDW is the ICAO code for Al Maktoum International Airport (IATA DWC), located in Jebel Ali, DU, United Arab Emirates.
What does DWC stand for?+
DWC is the IATA code for Al Maktoum International Airport (ICAO OMDW) in Jebel Ali, DU, United Arab Emirates.
Where is Al Maktoum International Airport?+
Al Maktoum International Airport is located in Jebel Ali, DU, United Arab Emirates.
Does Al Maktoum International Airport have commercial airline service?+
Yes — Al Maktoum International Airport is served by scheduled airlines in addition to private aviation traffic.
What is the elevation of Al Maktoum International Airport?+
Al Maktoum International Airport sits at 114 ft above sea level.
What timezone is Al Maktoum International Airport in?+
Al Maktoum International Airport operates on Asia/Dubai.
How many private-jet empty legs are available at Al Maktoum International Airport?+
SkyAccess currently tracks 18 departing and 18 arriving private-jet empty legs at Al Maktoum International Airport over the next six months. Browse and book each leg with a free account.