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Dubai announces underground transport network and airport expansion plans
Roads and Transport Authority working team examining integrated underground system for people, goods and services.
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority announced plans for an integrated underground transport network at the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum on 13 October 2026. Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the RTA, said a working team is examining the proposed network, which would transport people, goods and services below ground. The announcement was made at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The RTA reported that Dubai currently records more than 11 million journeys on its roads daily, equivalent to more than 7,000 journeys per minute. More than six million people move around the city during daylight hours, a figure the authority projects will double by 2040. The underground network forms part of a transport vision spanning three dimensions: sky, ground and underground.
Airport capacity and passenger processing#
Khalifa Al Zaffin presented plans for Al Maktoum International Airport at the same forum. The airport is designed to handle up to 260 million passengers annually. Al Zaffin stated the objective was to rethink the passenger journey through technology and efficient processes, with a focus on reducing time and simplifying the travel experience.
Autonomous transport and air mobility targets#
The RTA has set a target for autonomous transport to account for one in four journeys by 2030. Autonomous taxis have travelled more than four million kilometres in one year, according to Al Tayer. The authority reported that the first air taxi station is planned for 2026, with air taxi trials having begun in 2016.
Metro expansion and AI productivity measures#
Plans announced at the forum include the Dh34 billion Metro Gold Line. The RTA stated it is using artificial intelligence to increase productivity, with AI-enabled work potentially delivering output equivalent to 500 employees. The authority said infrastructure investments have delivered savings exceeding Dh319 billion and added Dh156 billion to the economy, with both figures cited to the RTA's own disclosure at the forum.
Sources3 sources across 3 domains
- thenationalnews.comThe NationalRTA working team examining underground transport network, 11 million daily journeys, six million daytime population expected to double by 2040
- khaleejtimes.comKhaleej TimesAl Maktoum International Airport 260 million passenger capacity, Dh34 billion Metro Gold Line, autonomous transport one in four journeys by 2030, AI productivity equivalent to 500 employees
- economymiddleeast.comEconomy Middle EastAutonomous taxis travelled more than four million kilometres, first air taxi station planned for 2026
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