Beginning June 30, all passengers departing from Dubai airports will be required to pay a departure tax of 35 dirhams (about $9.50). The fee applies to travelers leaving Dubai for international destinations; passengers merely stopping over in Dubai are exempt.
The new departure tax is part of a broader investment program to upgrade airport infrastructure and increase capacity at Dubai’s busiest facility, Dubai International Airport. Revenue from the fee will fund renovations to Terminal 1, expansion of Terminal 2 and the construction of a new Concourse D. Proceeds will also support ongoing development at Al Maktoum International Airport, helping prepare that facility for future growth. The departure fee will be collected at the time tickets are issued, whether purchased online or at the airport counter.
Faced with lower regional oil revenues, Dubai authorities are diversifying income sources to finance major transport projects. Officials estimate the departure tax could generate roughly $743 million annually, funds that will be channeled into capacity improvements and long-term planning. These investments aim to accommodate rising travel demand as Dubai pursues a target of handling 100 million passengers by 2023.
This policy change reinforces the emirate’s focus on maintaining and expanding its role as a global aviation hub. By investing in terminals, concourses and secondary airports, Dubai intends to reduce congestion, enhance passenger experience and create the infrastructure needed for sustained growth in international travel.