Dubai South is consolidating itself as the largest urban development in the United Arab Emirates, driven by the construction of Al Maktoum International Airport, designed to surpass any airport hub on the planet in terms of capacity. The area covers 70 square kilometres of planned land, with five parallel runways, logistics centres and direct connections to Jebel Ali Port and the Etihad Rail network. This context makes the region a strategic point for investors seeking annual returns above 15% ahead of the definitive take-off scheduled for 2027.
The project is at a critical stage: infrastructure is progressing rapidly, but the real estate market still offers prices up to 40% lower than consolidated areas such as Dubai Marina or Downtown. However, analysts foresee this advantage disappearing as soon as the passenger terminals begin large-scale operations, triggering demand for residential and commercial land around the complex.
Dimensions of the Al Maktoum project
Al Maktoum International Airport is designed to receive between 160 and 260 million passengers per year when it reaches full capacity, far exceeding airports such as Atlanta or Beijing. The infrastructure includes 16 cargo terminals with the capacity to move 12 million tonnes per year, three times more than the logistics hub of Memphis, currently the world leader. In addition, the design includes space for more than four Airbus A380 aircraft to land simultaneously 24 hours a day, eliminating flight queues and optimising intercontinental connections.
Meanwhile, Dubai World Central integrates hotels, shopping centres, aircraft maintenance facilities and tax-free zones that attract technology and manufacturing multinationals. This autonomous ecosystem ensures that economic activity does not depend exclusively on passenger traffic, but on a permanent business network that will drive the labour and residential market for decades.
Key areas to invest in Dubai South
Experts recommend focusing on three specific areas within the Dubai South perimeter:
✓ Residential plots near Expo City: reuse of the former Expo Dubai 2020 site, now transformed into a smart district with 80% of its infrastructure already built
✓ Commercial land next to free zones: direct access to manufacturing companies and logistics centres, ideal for industrial warehouses or specialised coworking spaces
✓ Residential land north of the airport: connected to the future extensions of the Dubai Metro network, projected for 2028 according to official announcements
Each of these locations offers different advantages: while the plots next to Expo City offer public services already in operation, the land close to the airport guarantees accelerated appreciation as commercial flights and executive traffic increase. Therefore, diversifying between two or three areas reduces risks and maximises profit potential in the medium term.
Factors driving land value
The expansion of Al Maktoum acts as the main catalyst, but there are other structural elements that will accelerate the growth of Dubai South. The direct connection with Jebel Ali Port, the largest in the Middle East, turns the area into an unprecedented multimodal transport hub in the region. In addition, the Emirati government has announced specific tax incentives for developers who build affordable housing aimed at qualified professionals who will work at the airport and in the free zones.
Another key factor is integration with the Etihad Rail network, which will allow land transfers between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in less than 50 minutes, multiplying the floating population that will demand services in the region. Finally, the successful experience of Expo Dubai 2020 showed that well-planned infrastructure quickly attracts private investment, generating a domino effect that is already beginning to be felt in current residential developments.
Timeline and purchase strategy
The optimal time to acquire land in Dubai South extends until the end of 2026, when the first phases of the airport are expected to significantly expand operations. From 2027 onwards, prices will rise as the first permanent residents linked to companies located in the free zones arrive. Experienced investors recommend closing deals before the authorities publish the final plans for metro expansion, as that official announcement usually triggers immediate rises of 20-30% in strategic areas.
In terms of strategy, it is advisable to prioritise plots with building permits already approved or in an advanced processing stage, shortening bureaucratic timelines and bringing forward the asset’s value creation. Diversifying between residential and commercial use balances the risk profile, especially for investors seeking to generate passive income through long-term rentals aimed at foreign executives and employees in the aviation sector.
