How to Invest in Dubai Real Estate: Areas to Watch Along the Airport Express Line
Dubai’s proposed Airport Express Line would link Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The RTA says its study needs at least a year, but the early signals matter for anyone planning to invest in Dubai property near the route.
What the RTA has said
Mattar Al Tayer, RTA Director General, confirmed the project is in the study phase and needs at least a year to produce an output. RTA is coordinating with Dubai Airports and looking at the line as part of the wider rail network. Six international engineering groups bid in August to study and design the line.
Proposed route and stations
- Length: about 55 km with five stations
- Route: from the DXB Metro station through Al Jaddaf and along Al Khail Road, serving Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), then on to DWC
- Two proposed spurs: towards Business Bay and the Al Fardan Exchange station near Dubai Marina
- Possible features: remote check-in, baggage drop-off and security screening (subject to the study)
These details are proposals and may change once the study is complete.
Could property values rise near new stations?
Al Tayer said that when a station is built beside an area, land values can increase by 15 to 30 per cent. This was a comment on land value, not property prices, and the RTA has not published any property price forecasts. Historically, though, property near Dubai Metro stations has attracted a premium as buyers and developers pay more for transit access.
Areas along the proposed corridor, including JVC, Business Bay and Al Jaddaf, are worth watching. A line like this can also support rental demand from commuters and airport-linked workers.
Why DWC makes the line important
The first phase of the DWC expansion is scheduled to open in 2032 with capacity for 150 million passengers a year, rising to 260 million. Strong airport connectivity is a key part of Dubai’s long-term growth plan.
Dubai Metro expansion is already underway
RTA is building the Dubai Metro Blue Line (due 2029) and plans to issue the Gold Line tender by the end of this year (due 2032). Together they cost about Dh55 billion and will take the network from 90 km to 162 km, an increase of 80%.
What buyers and investors should do now
- Shortlist communities near existing and planned rail links
- Treat the 15-30% figure as a land value indicator, not a guaranteed price rise
- Wait for the route to be confirmed before making location-dependent decisions
- Compare payment plans, service charges and handover dates
Talk to Sky Valley Real Estate
Sky Valley Real Estate can help you compare apartments and communities along Dubai’s current and planned metro corridors. Speak to our team for a shortlist that fits your budget.
FAQs
When will the Dubai Airport Express Line be built?
No date is set. The RTA says the study needs at least a year.
Which areas will the Airport Express Line serve?
The proposed route runs from DXB through Al Jaddaf and along Al Khail Road, serving JVC before continuing to DWC, with spurs towards Business Bay and Dubai Marina.
Will property prices rise near the new stations?
The RTA says land values near stations can rise 15 to 30 per cent. It has not published property price forecasts.
Source: Gulf News, “Dubai Airport Express Line on the cards, says RTA”, 14 September 2026.
