Dubai's Executive Council has approved an AED 2 billion extension of the Dubai Metro to Al Maktoum International Airport City. The 3 km route adds two stations and links Route 2020 to the new airport, with services due to start in 2031.
The council approved two more items at the same meeting on 10 November. One is an AED 9.59 billion plan for community services and facilities to 2040. The other is a Dubai Land Department study on the future of the city's property market.
01The decisions in figures
| Decision | Detail |
|---|---|
| Metro extension | 3 km, two new stations, Route 2020 to Al Maktoum International Airport City |
| Metro budget | AED 2 billion |
| Metro opening | 2031 |
| Community services plan | AED 9.59 billion, to 2040 |
| New homes in the DLD study | 365,000 residential units by 2030 |
| New office and retail space | About 1.1 million sq m by 2030 |
| Occupancy today | Residential 97%, retail 98%, offices 94% |
WAM, 10 November 2026.
02The Metro extension
The new section will reach the West Terminal of Al Maktoum International, where it connects with the airport express line and the Etihad Rail high-speed network. The Roads and Transport Authority will deliver it with the Dubai Engineering Projects Establishment.
Route 2020 already serves Dubai South and Expo City Dubai. The extension carries the Red Line on from there to the airport, which is part of the wider pipeline set out in October in our report on Dubai's AED 2.1 trillion of projects.
03The housing study and community services
The Dubai Land Department study expects 365,000 new homes and about 1.1 million sq m of office and retail space by 2030. It is meant to help developers plan launches and delivery, and supports the Dubai Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033.
The community services plan covers safety, healthcare, education and sports facilities across existing and planned residential areas. It will be rolled out in phases under the Supreme Committee for Urban Planning and Dubai Municipality, starting with residential areas for Emirati citizens.
04What it means if you are buying
For off-plan buyers in Dubai South, the extension gives a date for rail access to the airport itself. When comparing projects, check how far each building is from the existing Route 2020 stations and from the airport's planned West Terminal.
Projects near the line include Sidr Residences and Sky Residences in Expo City Dubai, and Golf Point in Emaar South. Our Dubai South area guide lists every project in the district.
ProjectsProjects in this story.
SourcesWhere this story comes from.
Sources
- WAM (Emirates News Agency): Hamdan bin Mohammed chairs The Executive Council meeting, approves major public projects in Dubai worth over AED11 billion, 10 November 2026
Corrections
- No corrections to this story. If something has changed or is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and log the change here.
10 Nov 2026, 19:41 GST · Reported by OffPlan Insider Newsdesk, checked against the developer's own material before publication.
