Dubai Airports has set a 2035 target to make both Dubai International and Dubai World Central fully accessible, laying out a renewed 10-year plan that shifts the focus from infrastructure to changing mindsets across the travel experience.
The operator said the next phase of its accessibility strategy aims to strengthen existing foundations, improve guest experience at every stage of the journey and position Dubaiโs airports as leaders in inclusive travel. The programme aligns with the United Arab Emiratesโ efforts to protect the rights of People of Determination, the official term used for people with disabilities, and supports Dubaiโs goal of becoming a fully disability-friendly city.
โOur 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 guest,โ Majed Al Joker, chief operating officer at Dubai Airports, said. He said the company would work more closely with partners and, for the first time, with the wider People of Determination community to reshape the airport journey.
Alongside the plan, Dubai Airports launched a public awareness initiative called โDXB for Allโ, co-created with People of Determination and the operatorโs oneDXB partners. The campaign features six real-life stories that illustrate the diverse experiences of travellers, from a child with sensory sensitivities navigating a crowded terminal to a deaf guest relying on staff trained in sign language and tactile guidance available for visually impaired passengers.
Dubai Airports said the campaign builds on its 2022 effort โWe All Meet the World Differentlyโ and marks a broader push to instil empathy and understanding among airport staff, travellers and the wider public. The emphasis is on service culture and consistent support from curb to gate, rather than only physical upgrades.
Figures featured in the initiative include Emirati accessibility advocate Fatma Al Jassim, former Paralympic swimmer and inclusion consultant Jessica Smith, and Dubai-based mother Yasmin Carey with her son Ellis, who is on the autism spectrum. The campaign also highlights contributors representing the autism and ADHD communities, a visually impaired advocate and a deaf community representative, underscoring the range of needs the airport aims to address.
The initiative is being rolled out with partners across the oneDXB community. These include airlines, ground services companies, security and border agencies, customs, health authorities, retail and contracted service providers. Dubai Airports said the goal is a seamless and inclusive experience that is consistent across stakeholders.
Current services cited by Dubai Airports include a Travel Planner visual guide, the Sunflower Lanyard scheme for discreet assistance, autism-friendly routes, wheelchair support, hearing loops installed at hundreds of points across the terminals, dedicated accessible taxis and sensory-friendly lounges.
Dubai International is one of the worldโs busiest hubs for international passengers, serving as a gateway to the Middle East and beyond. Dubai World Central, the emirateโs second airport, is being developed to take on a larger share of future traffic. The 2035 accessibility target is set against that broader expansion and is intended to make both airports compliant with global best practices while reflecting local policy and community engagement.
The plan underlines how accessibility has become a strategic priority for Gulf hubs, where service quality and seamless processing are key competitive benchmarks. Dubai Airports said it aims to set a global example for inclusive travel as the emirate advances programmes that integrate People of Determination across public services and infrastructure.
