[14] Emirates Airline has its hub airport in Dubai International (DXB) and has its own terminal 3 with three concourses that they share with Flydubai.

[15][16] Dubai Airport is also the base for low-cost carrier flydubai which handles 13% of passenger traffic and 25% of aircraft movements at DXB.

During the second half of the 1960s several extensions, equipment upgrades like a VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) and an instrument landing system (ILS), as well as new buildings, were constructed.

[26] The inauguration on 15 May 1966 was marked by the visits of the first big jets, De Havilland Comets of Middle East Airlines and Kuwait Airways.

[27] The advent of wide-body aircraft required further airport development in the 1970s and plans for a new terminal, runways, and taxiways capable of coping with international flights were drawn up.

[28] Expansion continued in the early 1970s including ILS Category II equipment, lengthening the existing runway to 3,800 m (12,500 ft), installation of a non-directional beacon (NDB), diesel generators, taxiways, etc.

[39] With phase 2 of DXB's expansion plan complete, the airport now has three terminals and three concourses, two cargo mega terminals, an airport-free zone,[40] an expo center with three large exhibition halls, a major aircraft maintenance hub and a flower center to handle perishable goods.

The original master plan for the existing airport initially involved a dual-terminal and one runway configuration over two phases with provisions for another two passenger terminals in the near future.

Phase 1 included the construction of the first passenger terminal, the first runway, 70 aircraft parking bays, support facilities, and structures, including large maintenance hangar, the first fire station, workshops, and administrative offices, an airfreight complex, two cargo agents' buildings, in-flight catering kitchens and an 87 m (285 ft) control tower.

[76] Paul Griffiths (Dubai Airports' CEO) in his interview with Vision magazine, cited plans to build infrastructure to support the expansion of Emirates and budget airline flydubai and ascend the ranks of global aviation hubs.

[90] Terminal 2 has undergone a major refurbishment recently, extending check-in and boarding facilities, changing the interior and exterior décor, and offering more dining choices to passengers.

[94] flydubai, Emirates' low cost subsidiary also currently operates certain selected routes, including most European destinations, to and from Terminal 3.

A large part is located under the taxiway area and is directly connected to Concourse B: the departure and arrival halls in the new structure are 10 m (33 ft) beneath the airport's apron.

The building includes a multi-level underground structure, first and business class lounges, restaurants, 180 check-in counters, and 2,600 car-parking spaces.

The system includes 21 screening injection points, 49 make-up carousels, 90 km (56 mi) of conveyor belts capable of handling 15,000 items per hour at a speed of 27 km/h (17 mph) and 4,500 early baggage storage positions.

[112] There is a direct connection to Sheikh Rashid Terminal (Concourse C) located at the control tower structure through passenger walkways.

[115] Executive Flight Services (EFS) caters to those passengers of high class or special importance who travel through Dubai International Airport.

Plans were put in place to construct the first stage of the cargo mega terminal, which by 2018 will have the ability to handle three million tons of freight.

[120] The center when completed and functioning will have a floor area of approximately 100,000 m2 (1,100,000 sq ft) including different export chambers and offices.

Due to extra congestion on one runway, all freighter, charter and general aviation flights were diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport.

[122][123] Flights at DXB were reduced by 26% and 14 airlines moved to Al Maktoum International Airport whilst the runways works were being done.

[124] Dubai Airport plans to close the southern runway (12R/30L) for complete resurfacing and replacement of the airfield lighting and supporting infrastructure.

[citation needed] In addition to a wide array of duty-free shops and eating outlets, Dubai Airport has two open-air garden areas.

Within the international transit area of the interconnected Terminals 1 and 2, internet and games facilities, prayer rooms, showers, spas, gym, swimming pool and three hotels are provided.

The airport uses highly sensitive equipment to conduct thorough searches on travellers into the UAE, including screening for smuggling, possessing or taking illegal drugs in the country.

[302] A number of travellers have been held pending charge while Dubai authorities test their possessions, blood and urine for any trace of contraband.

[308] In 2022, Dubai International Airport registered strong recovery and robust growth in its customer base that propelled the annual passenger numbers to 66 million.

[309] The airport handled 2.37 million tonnes of air cargo in 2014, a decrease of 3.1 per cent over 2013, making it the sixth-busiest airfreight hub in the world and the busiest in the Middle East.

[3] The decline was due to the runway closure, and the shifting of many cargo flights from DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport.

Dubai Buses operated by RTA run a number of routes to the city, but mainly Deira, and are available at the Airport Ground Transportation center and the Arrivals at every terminal.