Dubai Airshow Closures at DWC, Plan Extra Transfer Time
Key points
- Dubai Airshow runs November 17 to 21 at Al Maktoum International, DWC
- Daily flying displays create runway unavailability windows published in UTC
- Practice and rehearsal closures precede the show and affect arrivals and departures
- Shuttle buses link Expo Metro Station to the Airshow site during show days
- Expect heavier road traffic around Dubai South and longer transfer times
Impact
- Runway Closure Windows
- Daily airshow flying closes DWC to non-airshow arrivals and departures within published UTC blocks
- Practice And Rehearsal
- Additional UTC closures occur November 13 to 16 before show days
- Connections
- Avoid tight turns at DWC, build extra buffer for deicing-free but slot-constrained operations
- Surface Transfers
- Plan longer road times around Dubai South, use Expo Metro plus shuttle where practical
- Alternates
- Do not plan DWC as an alternate during active special-use airspace and closure periods
The Dubai Airshow returns to Al Maktoum International Airport, DWC, from November 17 to 21. During scheduled flying displays the aerodrome will suspend non-airshow arrivals and departures, which means routine flights face short, defined runway unavailability windows and potential retimes. Travelers using DWC should avoid tight connections, verify schedule changes, and allow longer surface transfer times around Dubai South during show hours.
Al Maktoum, DWC, will pause routine movements during flying displays
The United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority has issued an AIP Supplement that formalizes the event period and the daily closures. The airshow itself runs November 17 to 21, with a full rehearsal on November 16, and practice days November 13 to 15. During the airshow days, DWC is closed to non-airshow takeoffs and landings between 0915 and 1315 UTC, with additional restrictions published for practice and rehearsal blocks. Operators and passengers should expect retimes that keep movements outside these windows.
Slot unavailability, UTC sessions
Airport Coordination Limited, ACL, has circulated the specific slot unavailability with buffers, expressed in UTC and aligned to scheduled in and off-block times. Summary excerpts are below for traveler planning. Times are inclusive.
For practice on November 13 to 15, Session One, airshow activity 0600 to 0800 UTC, no arrivals 0550 to 0840 UTC, no departures 0520 to 0755 UTC. Session Two, airshow activity 1100 to 1300 UTC, no arrivals 1050 to 1340 UTC, no departures 1020 to 1255 UTC. For rehearsal on November 16, airshow activity 0900 to 1300 UTC, no arrivals 0850 to 1340 UTC, no departures 0820 to 1255 UTC. For airshow days November 17 to 21, airshow activity 0930 to 1300 UTC, no arrivals 0920 to 1340 UTC, no departures 0850 to 1255 UTC. A drone display on November 18 also blocks arrivals and departures 1530 to 1610 UTC.
Getting to the venue, shuttles, and road expectations
The official event site confirms the show takes place at the purpose-built Airshow Site at DWC and advises planning the journey in advance. The nearest Dubai Metro stop is Expo Metro Station, and during show days a shuttle bus runs a continuous loop between the station and the Airshow site and SkyView entrances. Visitor parking at Al Maktoum Airport is paired with Park and Ride shuttles that operate during show hours. These options can help reduce exposure to expected congestion on the road approaches to Dubai South.
Background
Airshow closures are standard practice, balancing safety, display integrity, and regular operations. DWC will also activate a special use airspace cylinder, plus a defined display box, which limits non-participating traffic and prohibits using DWC as an alternate during active periods. This concentrates routine movements into the hours before and after the displays, so schedule trims and small delays are normal.
Final thoughts
If you are booked into or out of Al Maktoum during November 13 to 21, check for retimes that move your flight outside the closure windows, avoid tight connections, and use the Expo Metro plus shuttle or arranged taxi stands to keep transfer risk down. Dubai Airshow runway closures at DWC are short, predictable, and, with buffers, manageable for most travelers.