Dubai South — Business Airport and Expo City Growth Corridor 2026
Dubai South (formerly Dubai World Central) is one of Dubai’s most ambitious development projects: a 145 sqkm urban and aviation complex anchored by Al Maktoum International Airport and the Expo 2020 site (now Expo City Dubai). This guide covers the Dubai South business opportunity for 2026.
In this guide:
Dubai South Overview
- Location: Jebel Ali, Dubai; between Dubai and Abu Dhabi; adjacent to Jebel Ali Port
- Scale: 145 sqkm; designed for 1 million residents and 500,000 workers at maturity
- Components: Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), Expo City Dubai, Residential District, Logistics District, Aviation District, Business District
- Free zone authority: Dubai South Free Zone
Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA)
- Current status: operational for cargo; limited passenger flights; major expansion underway (USD 34 billion expansion announced)
- Future: planned to eventually replace Dubai International Airport as Dubai’s primary airport; eventual capacity of 260 million passengers/year
- Cargo hub: major air cargo hub; connected to Jebel Ali Sea Port (world’s 11th largest) creating a logistics multimodal hub
Expo City Dubai (Former Expo 2020 Site)
- Expo 2020 Dubai legacy: former Expo 2020 site transformed into a permanent business and innovation district
- Key features: Terra (sustainability pavilion), Dubai Exhibition Centre, Siemens MX-3D structures, international pavilions converted to offices
- Companies: 180+ companies now based in Expo City; SIEMENS and other multinationals have Expo City offices
- Events: major international conferences, expos, and events hosted at Dubai Exhibition Centre
Dubai South Free Zone
- Regulatory body: Dubai South Free Zone Authority
- Packages: Business Centre (virtual office/flexi-desk for services); Commercial Licence; Industrial; Aviation
- Aviation District: specific packages for aviation companies, MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul), aircraft manufacturers
- Logistics District: warehouse and logistics companies serving AMIA and Jebel Ali Port
- Starting cost: from AED 12,000 for small business packages
Who Should Consider Dubai South?
- Logistics and supply chain companies wanting AMIA + Jebel Ali Port proximity
- Aviation MRO and aviation services companies
- Companies wanting Expo City Dubai address and sustainability positioning
- Businesses wanting large industrial land in Dubai (more affordable than other Dubai FZs)