General FAQ

1. What is Dubai World Central?

Dubai World Central (DWC) is a massive, multi-phased development centered around the world’s largest international airport. At 140 km2, it is almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island. The self-sustaining development at Jebel Ali, some 40 kilometers south of Dubai city center, includes Al Maktoum International Airport and a cluster of specialized zones. DWC is a new city where eventually some 945,000 people will live and work; that’s more than the present population of Frankfurt and almost that of Stockholm. Dubai World Central’s components include:

Al Maktoum International Airport;
Logistics District;
Aviation District;
Residential District; and
Future developments for Commercial, Exhibition and Leisure

2. How do I contact DWC Logistics and Aviation Districts?

Investors are welcome to visit our office located at the following address (download map):

Sales Department
Dubai Aviation District Corporation
DWC Headquarters, Office Park
Logistics District, Dubai World Central
Emirates Road, Jebel Ali , P.O. Box 282228
 Tel: +971 4 8141111
 Fax: +971 4 8141366 
Email: sales@dwc.ae

3. How can Logistics District or Aviation District help me to get started?

Both Logistics and Aviation Districts offer a wide range of services, from selecting the right type of plot of land at the right location, to turn-key development, i.e. design and build. Back to top

4. What are the benefits of establishing a business in the DWC Free Zone?

The benefits of establishing a business in the DWC Free Zone are:

100% Foreign company ownership;
Exemption from all types of taxes, including income tax;
Exemption from restrictions relating to the transfer of capital or profits or salaries in any currency, to any place outside the DWC Free Zone; and
Immunity against nationalization and confiscation measures

5. Can I buy and own land in Logistics District or Aviation District?

No. In the DWC Free Zone, you can only lease land. Back to top

6. How can I sign up for lease of development land, warehouse space or office space in Logistics District or Aviation District?

Please visit our Sales team at DWC Headquarters (download map) to discuss your specific requirements, or contact them by:
Tel: +971 4 8141111
 Fax: +971 4 8141366 
Email: sales@dwc.ae

7. If I lease a plot of development land in Logistics District or Aviation District, what is the maximum duration of the lease?

The maximum duration you can lease development land is for 25 years, with an option to renew for up to a further 25 years. Back to top

8. Can I reserve development land, office or warehouse space?

Yes. Please contact our Sales team by:
 Tel: +971 4 8141111
 Fax: +971 4 8141366 
Email: sales@dwc.ae

Reservations may be subject to separate terms and conditions. Back to top

9. When is the payment for the land development fee due?

The payment will be due at the time of signing the lease agreement. Back to top

10. If I lease a plot of land in Logistics District or Aviation District, when can I start to build my own facility?

You can start building your facility once you receive the final design approval and the building permit, which will usually take approximately 2 to 3 months from application. Back to top

11. Will I have water and electricity to build my facility?

During the construction phase, you will need to arrange for your own supply of water and electricity in cooperation with your contractors. On completion of construction, it will be possible to establish permanent utility connections. Back to top

12. Will I have to follow any perimeter development and border fencing?

Yes. Kindly refer to DWC’s Planning Regulations and Development Guidelines and the Construction HSE Guidelines (download guidelines). Back to top

13. Will my company be able to receive our license prior to finishing construction/occupation of our warehouse?

Yes. You may apply to receive your license straight away. Back to top

14. Can my company transfer a trade license from one Free Zone to another?

No. Transfer of license is not permitted from one Free Zone to another. Back to top

15. What is the visa policy?

Residence visas for all personnel will be provided following issuance of the license, except for leases of development land. If leasing development land, residence visas can only be applied:

For Managers – following signature of the land lease agreement; and
For non-Managers – upon full completion of the warehouse construction

16. How can I get a license to operate in the Logistics District Free Zone?

Licenses will be granted to companies who operate in the logistics business:

As an industrial or trading company with the need for multimodal transportation;
As a logistics service provider or transport operator; or
Selected companies, who provide amenities and ancillary services to Logistics District tenants.

Logistics District will assist you in applying for a Free Zone operating license after registering your company with DWC Free Zone and after signing a lease contract. Back to top

17. Is a freight forwarding or logistics company eligible for 100% foreign ownership within Logistics District?

Yes. Companies operating in Logistics District will be registered as a Dubai World Central limited liability company (DWC-LLC) or a Branch of a company registered and existing outside of the DWC Free Zone, and will therefore be 100% foreign company ownership. Back to top

18. What are the criteria for leasing land, warehouse space or office space in Logistics District?

Logistics District is primarily focusing on companies involved in logistics or supply chain industries, or associated service providers to logistics/supply chain sectors. Back to top

19. Can I lease space for a warehouse in the shared forwarders area in Logistics District?

Yes. You can lease space for a warehouse on an annual basis. Back to top

20. As a logistics service provider, can I build and break air cargo pallets in my own facility?

For the time being, only break down of pallets is allowed by Customs provided you have in-house Customs service. Build up of pallets for air transportation is under discussion with the relevant authorities. Back to top

21. As an airline, can I self-handle and operate my own cargo facility in Logistics District?

Yes. Airlines will be allowed to build, own and operate their own cargo facilities themselves for landside operation in Logistics District. Back to top

22. Will there be public access points to/from Logistics District?

Yes. The access point to/from Logistics District is from Emirates Road. Please refer to the map link for a visual. Back to top

23. What is Aviation District?

Aviation District is a unique and innovative business concept in the region. It is established to host all aviation manufacturing and associated industries, MRO companies, aviation support services, design and consultancy, research and development, aviation training, products and parts, light manufacturing units and high-technology industries. Aviation District, spread over 6.7 km2 within the Dubai World Central project, is being designed as a one-stop center for all aviation-related operations. Back to top

24. Where is Aviation District located?

Aviation District is located within the Dubai World Central project on Emirates Road, only 40 minutes away from Dubai’s city center. Back to top

25. What facilities does Aviation District provide?

Aviation District will house different clusters to accommodate the many disciplines as one of the first-ever cities dedicated to various and unique demands of the aviation industry. It will also have state-of-the-art office buildings, land plots for dedicated industrial business, MRO hangars and heliport zone. Aviation District’s facilities include:

Open areas (plots) for developers to design and build their required facilities;
Light Industrial Unit;
State-of-the-art commercial offices;
High-tech research laboratories;
Training facilities;
Research & Development facilities;
MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) hangars;
General hangars;
Helicopter hangars and landing spots;
Executive Jet terminal facilities; and
Cost-effective staff residences within the Dubai World Central project

26. What does MRO stand for?

MRO stands for Maintenance Repair and Overhaul. The MRO services refer to the maintenance functions required to sustain an active aircraft fleet. Maintenance in the aviation context is the action necessary to sustain or restore the integrity and performance of the airplane. It includes inspection, overhaul, repair, preservation and replacement of parts such as to assure conformity to the Basis of Certification. Back to top

27. What does FBO stand for?

A Fixed Based Operator is a vendor of services at an airport or airfield. They provide aircraft maintenance, fuel, car rental, flight instruction, aircraft sales, and comfortable passenger lounges and passenger services. Most FBOs are built to cater to the needs and requirements of executive jet air charter services. They specialize in handling aircraft for VIPs. Back to top