Dubai International Airport (DXB/OMDB) Operational Guide

Dubai International Airport (DXB/OMDB) operates 24 hours a day, but unscheduled and general aviation movements require careful coordination.

DXB is an IATA Level 3 coordinated airport. An operator may not operate to or from the airport without an allocated slot from Airport Coordination Limited (ACL), and the movement remains subject to the applicable Dubai Civil Aviation Authority landing permission. General aviation is also subject to published scheduling restrictions during selected peak periods.

For operators, schedulers and flight departments, the practical task is to align the slot, permit, FBO acceptance, parking, fuel, crew requirements and passenger or cargo arrangements before the flight is committed.

ASM provides 24/7 flight support for operations into Dubai International Airport and other UAE airports.

Information verified: 7 August 2026.
DXB procedures, GA restrictions, slots and NOTAMs can change by scheduling season. Always reconfirm the current UAE AIP, Dubai Airports Conditions of Use, ACL rules and applicable NOTAMs before operation.

DXB / OMDB airport data

Operational item	Current published information
Airport	Dubai International Airport
IATA / ICAO	DXB / OMDB
Location	Approximately 2.5 NM east of Dubai
Elevation	62 ft
Traffic permitted	IFR / VFR
Airport operations	H24
Customs & immigration	H24
Air traffic services	H24
Fuel	H24
Ground handling	H24
Security	H24
RWY 12R / 30L	4,447 × 60 m
RWY 12L / 30R	4,351 × 60 m
Fire category	CAT 10
Published visiting-aircraft hangar space	Nil
Repair facilities	Available by prior arrangement

The current UAE AIP publishes both DXB runways as asphalt runways, with RWY 12R/30L at 4,447 metres and RWY 12L/30R at 4,351 metres. Airport administration, customs, immigration, ATS, fuel, handling and security are all published H24.

Airport slots at Dubai International

A confirmed airport slot is mandatory at DXB.

The UAE AIP identifies Dubai International as an IATA Level 3 coordinated airport and states that no operator may operate to or from DXB without first obtaining an allocated slot from ACL. The movement is also subject to landing permission from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

The slot and landing permission should not be treated as the same approval.

For a general aviation movement, operators should separately confirm:

• ACL arrival slot
• ACL departure slot
• DCAA landing permission where applicable
• FBO acceptance
• Parking
• Required ground services
• Fuel
• Passenger or cargo arrangements

GA scheduling restrictions

H24 airport status does not mean that general aviation can schedule freely at any hour.

Dubai Airports’ 2026 General Aviation Conditions of Use apply restrictions during specified peak periods. The rules are enforced through ACL and the airport’s Slot Performance Requirement framework.

Slot adherence is monitored against the confirmed coordinated times, and ACL can investigate misuse or poor adherence.

Operators should therefore check the current scheduling season before proposing an arrival or departure time.

A slot that was workable during an earlier DXB movement should not be assumed to be available for the next operation.

Does DXB require PPR?

PPR, an airport slot and a landing permit are different controls.

For DXB, the published AIP specifically requires:

1. An allocated ACL airport slot
2. Applicable DCAA landing permission

A separate generic PPR should not be used as shorthand for either requirement.

The movement may also depend on FBO acceptance and parking availability. An allocated slot does not automatically confirm the aircraft’s parking position or ground handling.

This distinction is particularly important when operating into several UAE airports because the approval structure can differ from one airport to another.

Landing permits for non-scheduled flights into Dubai

A non-scheduled flight carrying or discharging passengers, cargo or mail in the Emirate of Dubai requires landing permission through the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

The UAE AIP states that operators should provide at least two clear working days’ notice before the intended arrival or departure for this type of non-scheduled traffic stop. The application includes the operator, aircraft, schedule, duration of stay, routing, purpose, passenger or freight details and charterer information where applicable.

ASM’s flight permit support can coordinate the applicable UAE and Dubai requirements around the proposed movement.

Foreign commercial operators

There is also a federal layer to the process.

The GCAA’s current operator portal sets out three steps for foreign operators conducting non-scheduled commercial services:

1. Complete Foreign Operator Registration — FOR GCAP
2. Complete registration with the National Advance Information Center — NAIC
3. Apply to the appropriate Emirate authority for the ad-hoc landing permit

For Dubai, the permit authority is DCAA. A valid NAIC Certificate of Completion is required before a landing permit can be issued.

Commercial foreign operators carrying passengers or cargo to or from UAE airports are also subject to GCAA Foreign Operator Registration requirements. Private flights and technical stops are treated differently under the published framework.

Private non-revenue flights

For private non-revenue operations, the current GCAA portal lists:

• NAIC registration
• Ad-hoc landing permission through the applicable Emirate authority

For Dubai, this again means DCAA.

The exact documentation should be reconfirmed against the aircraft registration, operator status and purpose of flight.

UAE overflight permission: an important distinction

The current article should not state that a UAE overflight permit is mandatory for every foreign operation.

Under the UAE AIP, aircraft registered in qualifying ICAO states can generally overfly under the published conditions without separately requesting overflight permission. Aircraft registered in non-ICAO states require permission.

Military, state and state-VIP operations follow separate diplomatic-clearance procedures.

This distinction matters because a Dubai landing permit, foreign-operator compliance and an Emirates FIR overflight are not interchangeable regulatory requirements.

The operation should be reviewed based on:

• State of registration
• Commercial or private status
• Traffic or non-traffic stop
• Passenger or cargo movement
• State, military or diplomatic status
• Proposed route through UAE airspace

Ground handling and FBO options at DXB

General aviation operators do not choose from an unrestricted list of ground handlers at Dubai International.

Dubai Airports’ 2026 General Aviation Conditions of Use identify Jet Aviation and ExecuJet Aviation Group as the FBOs providing GA ground handling at DXB, and require GA operators to contract with one of them before using the airport’s facilities and services.

Typical coordination may include:

• Aircraft handling
• Ramp services
• Passenger and crew handling
• Baggage
• GPU
• Pushback or towing
• Lavatory and water service
• Catering delivery
• Fuel coordination
• Passenger transport
• Crew transport
• Customs and immigration coordination
• Parking

The handler should be confirmed before the flight is finalised.

ExecuJet

ExecuJet currently publishes a DXB FBO operating around the clock, with passenger and crew facilities, customs and immigration support, ground transportation and ramp parking among its services.

Jet Aviation

Jet Aviation is the other FBO designated under Dubai Airports’ GA Conditions of Use for DXB.

ASM can coordinate the required FBO and ground-service scope as part of the complete flight support request.

Parking at DXB

Parking should be treated as a separate confirmation from the airport slot.

Dubai Airports’ GA Conditions of Use require operators to coordinate through their appointed FBO, and parking outside dedicated FBO areas is subject to the applicable airport arrangements and charges.

When submitting the request, provide the expected ground time, not only the arrival and departure times.

The parking review can depend on:

• Aircraft type and code
• Ground time
• FBO apron availability
• Airport capacity
• Peak traffic periods
• Required towing
• Maintenance or servicing
• Departure slot

The UAE AIP does not publish hangar space for visiting aircraft at DXB, although repair facilities may be available by prior arrangement.

For longer stays or where DXB cannot support the preferred parking and schedule, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/OMDW) should be assessed as a separate operating option rather than assuming the aircraft can remain at DXB.

Jet A-1 fuel at DXB

Fuelling at Dubai International is published H24.

The current AIP lists:

• Jet A-1
• AVGAS 100LL
• Hydrant or bowser fuelling across the airport stands

Jet A-1 suppliers published in the AIP include Emojet, Eppco, Shell and Air BP.

For a non-scheduled movement, the required uplift should still be confirmed before arrival.

The fuel request should include:

• Aircraft registration
• Aircraft type
• Date
• ETA / ETD
• Required fuel grade
• Requested uplift
• Billing or fuel-release arrangement

ASM’s aviation fuel services can coordinate the fuel request together with the wider flight-support package.

Hot-weather aircraft performance

DXB has long runways, but runway length alone does not remove performance considerations.

The airport’s reference temperature is 41°C, while the UAE AIP climatological data shows average daily maximum temperatures reaching approximately 42°C in July and August.

Dubai Airports’ GA Conditions of Use specifically require operators to ensure the aircraft can meet published minimum departure climb gradients under prevailing conditions and to adjust payload where necessary. Operators can also be asked to provide documentation confirming that the aircraft does not exceed MTOW.

For summer operations, the dispatch review should therefore consider:

• Temperature
• Aircraft weight
• Fuel load
• Payload
• Departure runway
• Published climb requirements
• Wind
• Routing
• Required reserves

A long runway should not be treated as automatic confirmation that the proposed payload and departure can be accepted.

Runway and taxi considerations

DXB operates two parallel runway systems:

RWY 12R / 30L — 4,447 × 60 m
RWY 12L / 30R — 4,351 × 60 m

Both runway systems are published as suitable for CAT III operations for appropriately approved operators, subject to serviceability and applicable procedures.

The AIP also publishes aircraft-code restrictions affecting certain simultaneous movements on the taxiway system. Larger-aircraft operators should therefore review current aircraft parking and taxi charts rather than relying only on runway dimensions.

Customs, immigration and passenger data

Customs and immigration at DXB are published H24.

For international non-scheduled operations, however, CIQ availability is only one part of the passenger-clearance process.

The flight may also require:

• Passenger manifest
• Crew manifest
• Passport information
• API data submission
• NAIC compliance
• Visa or entry documentation where applicable
• Customs information
• Cargo declarations
• Special handling instructions

The GCAA states that NAIC registration is mandatory before landing permits are issued under the applicable non-scheduled and private-flight procedures.

Passenger or crew details should therefore be supplied early enough for the permit and advance-information processes rather than added only after the aircraft slot has been obtained.

Crew HOTAC and transport

DXB itself operates H24, so crew planning must work around the actual duty period rather than airport closing hours.

The UAE AIP publishes hotel accommodation within the airport and throughout Dubai, together with taxis, buses, metro and rental-car transport.

For an operational movement, crew requirements can include:

• Hotel accommodation
• Airport-to-hotel transport
• Pickup time
• Crew-change coordination
• Visa or entry requirements
• Early check-in or late check-out
• Meal requirements
• Standby transport
• Revised accommodation following a schedule change

HOTAC should be booked around the expected duty/rest requirement rather than the passenger itinerary.

This becomes particularly important when the departure slot changes or the aircraft cannot remain at DXB for the intended ground time.

DXB or DWC for a non-scheduled operation?

DXB should not automatically be selected simply because it is Dubai’s main airport.

For a non-scheduled movement, compare the complete operating requirements with Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/OMDW).

DXB may remain the stronger option where:

• The operation requires DXB specifically
• The passenger or cargo programme is tied to the airport
• The required ACL slot is available
• Parking is confirmed
• The selected FBO accepts the movement

DWC may deserve review where:

• The requested DXB slot cannot be secured
• GA peak restrictions affect the schedule
• Parking requirements are difficult to support at DXB
• The aircraft will remain in Dubai for an extended period
• The overall mission is operationally better served from Dubai South

The airports have different coordination profiles. Treat DWC as a separate operating plan, not simply a last-minute substitute after DXB arrangements fail.

Traveller-focused advice on choosing between Dubai airports belongs on the separate private charter in Dubai guide.

What ASM needs to coordinate DXB flight support

To begin the operational review, provide:

1. Operator details
   Operator name, AOC holder and contact.
2. Aircraft details
   Aircraft type, registration, MTOW and callsign where applicable.
3. Foreign operator status
   GCAP registration details where required.
4. Schedule
   Origin, destination, ETA, ETD and required ground time.
5. Purpose of flight
   Commercial non-scheduled, private non-revenue, technical, cargo, diplomatic or other operation.
6. Passengers and crew
   Numbers, manifest information and any special processing requirements.
7. Cargo
   Nature and quantity where applicable, including dangerous goods or specialist cargo.
8. Handling scope
   Ramp, passenger, baggage, equipment and aircraft-service requirements.
9. Fuel
   Grade, uplift and fuel-release or billing information.
10. Parking requirement
    Turnaround, overnight or longer stay.
11. Crew requirements
    HOTAC, transport and crew-change requirements.
12. Special requirements
    Catering, security, maintenance, medical or other mission-specific arrangements.

Providing the complete request at the beginning allows the permit, slot, handling, parking and fuel requirements to be assessed together.

When should a DXB request be submitted?

For a non-scheduled traffic stop in Dubai, the UAE AIP states that operators should give at least two clear working days’ notice for the landing-permission application.

That should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the complete DXB operation can be confirmed two days before departure.

Additional time may be needed for:

• Foreign Operator Registration
• NAIC registration
• ACL slot availability
• FBO acceptance
• Parking
• Cargo approvals
• State or diplomatic operations
• Special handling
• Peak-period operations

Where dates are known, begin the operational review early and then work within the applicable permit and slot-request windows.

Operational contacts

Dubai Airports — Airport Operations Control Centre

Tel: +971 4 504 5000
Email: aocc@dubaiairports.ae

The current UAE AIP lists the Dubai Airports AOCC as the airport operational contact.

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority

For non-scheduled traffic-stop landing permission, the UAE AIP lists:

Tel: +971 4 777 0000 / +971 4 777 0440
Email: dcaa@dcaa.gov.ae / air.transport@dcaa.gov.ae

GCAA Foreign Operator Registration

Email: gcap@gcaa.gov.ae

NAIC / API-UAE support

Email: API@icp.gov.ae

Operational contacts should still be checked against the current AIP and authority portals before use.

Frequently asked questions

Is Dubai International Airport open 24 hours?

Yes. Airport administration, customs, immigration, ATS, fuel, handling and security are published H24.

H24 status does not mean GA movements can be scheduled at any time; published peak-period GA restrictions and slot availability still apply.

Does DXB require an airport slot?

Yes. DXB is an IATA Level 3 coordinated airport, and no operator may operate to or from the airport without an allocated ACL slot.

Who issues the Dubai landing permit?

For applicable non-scheduled operations into Dubai, landing permission is issued through the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

How much notice is required for a Dubai non-scheduled landing permit?

The UAE AIP asks operators to give at least two clear working days’ notice for a non-scheduled traffic-stop application.

The complete mission may require more lead time because the permit does not confirm the slot, parking or handling.

Is a UAE overflight permit always required?

No. The UAE AIP provides general exemptions for qualifying aircraft registered in ICAO states. Aircraft registered in non-ICAO states require overflight permission, while military, state and state-VIP operations follow separate procedures.

Which FBOs handle general aviation at DXB?

Dubai Airports’ 2026 General Aviation Conditions of Use identify Jet Aviation and ExecuJet Aviation Group as the FBOs providing GA ground handling at DXB.

Is Jet A-1 available 24 hours?

Yes. Fuel is published H24, with Jet A-1 available by hydrant or bowser.

Can an aircraft remain parked at DXB?

Parking is subject to FBO and airport confirmation and should be requested with the expected ground time. No visiting-aircraft hangar space is published in the current AIP.

Where DXB cannot support the proposed stay, DWC should be evaluated separately.

Related operational guides

For broader UAE planning, use ASM Flight Support and Flight Permit Support.

For the other major Dubai operating option, review the Al Maktoum International Airport DWC/OMDW operational guide.

Passenger and charter-buyer information should remain separate on the Private Charter in Dubai guide.

Request flight support at DXB

Planning an operation into Dubai International Airport?

Share the aircraft details, schedule, ground time, passenger or cargo requirements, required fuel and crew arrangements with ASM.

The operations team can review the applicable slot, DCAA permission, FBO handling, parking, fuel and support requirements for the proposed movement.

Request Flight Support

Email: sales@asm.aero
Telephone: +971 4 409 7755

Airport slots, landing permission, FBO acceptance, parking, fuel, handling and other operational services remain subject to the applicable authority requirements and confirmation for the individual movement.