Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) — Aviation and Trading Guide 2026
Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) is strategically located adjacent to Dubai International Airport (DXB) — the world’s busiest international airport by passenger volume. DAFZA is ideal for businesses requiring air freight logistics and aviation services proximity. This guide covers DAFZA for 2026.
DAFZA Overview
- Location: adjacent to Dubai International Airport Terminal 1 and 2; 15 minutes from Dubai city centre (Deira side)
- Established: 1996; managed by DAFZA authority (now part of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism group)
- Focus: aviation services; air cargo and logistics; diamond and jewellery trading; pharmaceuticals distribution; electronics; fashion and apparel; aerospace components
- DXB advantage: Dubai International Airport handles 7 million+ tonnes of cargo per year; DAFZA tenants get priority air cargo processing and direct airside access for qualifying logistics operations
DAFZA Key Tenants and Sectors
- Pharmaceuticals: cold chain logistics; temperature-controlled warehousing; pharmaceutical distribution hub for GCC and Africa
- Diamond and jewellery: dedicated diamond trading facilities within DAFZA; Dubai Diamond Exchange affiliated; major diamond houses (De Beers, Alrosa) have DAFZA presence
- Electronics: high-value electronics trading; rapid air freight connectivity for just-in-time supply chains
- Aerospace: aircraft parts; avionics; aerospace engineering services; adjacent to Emirates Engineering (world’s largest airline engineering base)
- Fashion and luxury: air freight dependency for premium goods; fast-moving fashion SKUs
DAFZA Licence and Costs
- FZE (single shareholder): AED 18,000-30,000/year; slightly higher than average due to premium location
- FZCO (multi-shareholder): AED 20,000-35,000/year
- Warehouse with air freight access: AED 20-45 per sqft/year; airside warehouses at premium
- Office (executive centre): AED 150-300 per sqft/year
DAFZA vs Dubai South for Air Logistics
- DAFZA: use for businesses needing proximity to DXB (Dubai International Airport); existing DXB cargo routes; Deira/city side of Dubai; smaller scale operations
- Dubai South: use for businesses planning for Al Maktoum Airport expansion; massive scale logistics; Jebel Ali port combo; larger warehouse facilities
- Long-term: Dubai International Airport is likely to remain primary for 10-15 years; Al Maktoum is the long-term future (Expo City hub, Etihad Rail, massive expansion)
Pricing Evidence & Source Notes
Use this profile as a planning guide, not a final invoice. Confirm the current package, activity wording, visas, office or flexi-desk requirement and renewal amount before payment.
| Free Zone | Package | Year 1 Cost | Renewal Cost | 3-Year Total | Visa Option | Office / Flexi Requirement | Year 1 Confidence | Source Type | Conflict Status | Last Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAFZA | Scality Global monthly subscription | AED 28,000-55,000 (licence ~AED 13,000-15,000 + registration ~AED 7,000 one-time + smart desk + 1 visa ~AED 3,500-7,000 + establishment card) Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 34,200 annual subscription before external fees Confidence: Verified official price |
AED 105,600 DAFZ fees before visa/external fees Confidence: Verified official price |
1 visa entitlement; visa fee excluded | Flexible working space subscription | Verified official price | Official authority package page | No material public conflict recorded | June 2026 |
| What is included | Monthly subscription lists flexible workspace, lease, licence, growth partnerships, network support and 1 visa/subscription entitlement; setup fee is AED 3,000. |
|---|---|
| What is not included | Visa cost up to AED 4,200, employee protection insurance, optional dedicated desk and external government fees. |
| Hidden-cost risk | Pricing covers DAFZ fees only; external government fees and visa costs remain separate. |
| Banking difficulty | Medium to high |
| Best fit | Premium Dubai airport-linked trading, aviation, logistics and professional companies. |
Source evidence: Review source | Methodology | Corrections.
Prices can change based on free zone authority updates, activity selection, visa count, office or flexi-desk requirement, shareholder structure, establishment card, immigration file, medical test, Emirates ID, insurance, banking support and consultant service fees. Last reviewed June 2026. Always request a current quote before payment. View methodology or compare all rows in the UAE Free Zone Cost Index.