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The Roads and Transport Authority said Mattar Al Tayer, its director general and chairman of the board of executive directors, met with Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation. The two sides reviewed traffic projects and solutions aimed at improving flow along road corridors leading to and from Dubai International Airport. They also examined future transport plans for Al Maktoum International Airport to support overall integration with the aviation sector.
According to an RTA statement, the discussions focused on facilitating passenger movement and providing seamless integrated mobility for residents and visitors to the emirate. The meeting took place within the framework of the strategic partnership between the authority and the airports operator. Such coordination aligns with broader goals to modernise infrastructure and handle rising demand across transport modes.
A Khaleej Times report indicated that studies for a Metro link between Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports began this month with input from international consultants. Mattar Al Tayer said the studies are expected to take about one year before the findings are ready. The authority is currently building the Dubai Metro Blue Line, scheduled for completion in 2029, and plans to tender the Gold Line by the end of 2026.
Dubai Airports expects passenger traffic to reach around 70 million for the full year, according to a Reuters report that cited Paul Griffiths. The airport handled 31.5 million passengers in the first half of the year following temporary regional airspace closures. Projections from Dubai Airports place annual traffic at 100 million passengers by the end of 2027 as recovery gains momentum.
The RTA chief stated that connections between the Metro network and both Etihad Rail and the planned Dubai-Abu Dhabi high-speed train would enable passengers to transfer easily to different lines across the city. One high-speed station is set for Al Maktoum International Airport, with another in Al Jaddaf. These elements form part of Dubai’s rail master plan to link various transport networks.
Completion of the Blue and Gold Metro lines will expand the network from 90 kilometres today to 162 kilometres by 2032, RTA figures show. The projects carry a combined estimated cost of 55 billion dirhams. These developments are intended to support growing demand from the aviation sector and overall economic activity.
