Private jet to Dubai for New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve falls on Thursday 31 December 2026, with Emaar's show at Burj Khalifa. Most private jets use Al Maktoum, which has no parking restrictions; Dubai International is nearer the city but tighter on slots and parking.
- Date
- Thursday 31 December 2026
- DXB to city
- About 4 km
- DWC to Jumeirah
- About 25 min
- Business jets at DWC
- About 70%
How the trip works
Al Maktoum International (DWC) for most trips: it handles about 70 percent of Dubai's business aviation, slots are usually available and parking is not restricted, which matters for a stay over the holiday. Dubai International (DXB) is about 4 km from the city, but every movement needs a slot and parking is restricted, so wide-bodied jets may be limited to drop and go.
Emaar has staged New Year's Eve at Burj Khalifa every year since 2010, with fireworks from the tower, a light and laser show on the facade and The Dubai Fountain set to the same soundtrack. For a private flight, the decision that matters is where the aircraft parks over the holiday.
At Dubai International, approved slots are valid for 15 minutes either side, and peak-hour slots between 08:00 and 22:00 are hard to get, with landing delays of up to 45 minutes possible. Request arrival and departure slots together as soon as the dates are fixed.
At Al Maktoum, DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, Jetex and ExecuJet run private terminals, and ExecuJet has 27,000 square metres of apron reserved for its customers. Sharjah needs no slots and has ample parking. If your dates are flexible, check empty legs into Dubai.
Sources:Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa (Emaar New Year's Eve show since 2010)Universal Weather and Aviation: business aviation trip planning, Dubai, UAEAIN, December 2024: ExecuJet opens private terminal at Dubai DWC; about 70% of Dubai business aviation at DWCAC-U-KWIK airport record, OMDB (distance, runway, FBO, parking)AC-U-KWIK airport record, OMDW (distance, runway, FBOs, slots)
DXB, DWC or Sharjah for New Year
- Distance and drive
- About 4 km east of the city
- Slots
- Required for every movement, valid 15 minutes either side; peak 08:00 to 22:00
- Parking
- Restricted; wide-bodied jets may be limited to drop and go
- Distance and drive
- About 38 km southwest of the city; about 25 min to Jumeirah and the Palm, 30 min to the financial district
- Slots
- Required (coordinated airport) but usually available
- Parking
- No parking restrictions; three private terminals
- Distance and drive
- About 30 min to the financial district, 35 min to Jumeirah and the Palm
- Slots
- Not required
- Parking
- Ample; customs and immigration preclearance
All three are open 24 hours and are airports of entry. The rules shown are the year-round ones; we confirm any holiday notices on the quote.
Sources:Universal Weather and Aviation: business aviation trip planning, Dubai, UAEAC-U-KWIK airport record, OMDB (distance, runway, FBO, parking)AC-U-KWIK airport record, OMDW (distance, runway, FBOs, slots)AIN, December 2024: ExecuJet opens private terminal at Dubai DWC; about 70% of Dubai business aviation at DWC
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Planning a New Year trip
- 01Choose where the jet parks
For a stay over New Year, Al Maktoum has no parking restrictions. At Dubai International, ask for parking at the same time as the slots, or plan a drop and go.
- 02Allow for the landing permit
UAE landing permits for private flights normally need at least four business days' notice; shorter notice is at the authority's discretion. On a charter, the operator's air operator certificate must be on board.
- 03Book both slots together
Dubai International coordinates every arrival and departure, so request the return slot with the arrival slot.
- 04Book the last leg
From Al Maktoum it is about 25 minutes by road to the Jumeirah hotel area and the Palm. Book the car with the jet and allow extra time on the night itself.
Sources:Universal Weather and Aviation: business aviation trip planning, Dubai, UAEUniversal Weather and Aviation: UAE landing and overflight permit requirements
Jets for New Year in Dubai
Light jets for Gulf hops, larger cabins for families flying in from Europe, India and beyond.
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistWhen is New Year's Eve 2026 in Dubai?+
Thursday 31 December 2026. Emaar has held its New Year's Eve show at Burj Khalifa every year since 2010.
Can my jet park at Dubai International over New Year?+
Parking at Dubai International is restricted all year, and wide-bodied jets may be limited to drop and go. Al Maktoum has no parking restrictions, so it is the simpler choice for a stay.
How far is Al Maktoum from the city?+
About 38 km southwest of Dubai, or about 25 minutes by road to Jumeirah and the Palm and 30 minutes to the financial district.
How far ahead should I book?+
Allow at least four business days for the UAE landing permit, and request Dubai International slots as soon as your dates are fixed.
What does a midsize jet cost in the UAE?+
Midsize jets charter at about AED 24,340 to AED 34,030 per flight hour for the whole aircraft, before airport, parking and handling charges.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Wikipedia: Burj Khalifa (Emaar New Year's Eve show since 2010)
- 2.Universal Weather and Aviation: business aviation trip planning, Dubai, UAE
- 3.AIN, December 2024: ExecuJet opens private terminal at Dubai DWC; about 70% of Dubai business aviation at DWC
- 4.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OMDB (distance, runway, FBO, parking)
- 5.AC-U-KWIK airport record, OMDW (distance, runway, FBOs, slots)
- 6.Universal Weather and Aviation: UAE landing and overflight permit requirements
- 7.AIN, 2 March 2026: Gulf business aviation traffic paralysed by Iran conflict
- 8.Gulf Business, 17 March 2026: UAE airspace returns to normal after precautionary restrictions lifted
- 9.Wego, updated 11 September 2026: UAE flight resumption, airspace open and airline status
Into Dubai before the countdown.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.