DAFZA Free Zone Company Setup
Dubai Airport Free Zone - built for aviation-linked logistics and air-freight trading, with direct proximity to Dubai International Airport's cargo infrastructure.
DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone) is built around proximity to Dubai International Airport's cargo operations - the natural choice for businesses whose trading model depends on air freight speed rather than sea freight volume. Like JAFZA, it commands a premium over general trading zones because of the infrastructure it sits on.
Who DAFZA suits best
- Air freight and time-sensitive cargo trading businesses
- Aviation-linked logistics and services companies
- High-value, low-volume goods trading (electronics, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods)
- Businesses needing fast customs clearance tied to airport operations
Licensed activities
- Air cargo trading and freight forwarding
- Aviation services and logistics
- General trading for high-value, time-sensitive goods
- Import/export operations reliant on air freight
Cost profile
DAFZA sits in the mid-to-high cost tier, similar to JAFZA, reflecting its airport-adjacent infrastructure. It's a specialist choice - if your trade doesn't depend on air freight speed specifically, a general trading zone will usually cost less for the same licence category.
What sets DAFZA apart
Speed of goods movement. For businesses trading in time-sensitive or high-value goods, DAFZA's direct airport proximity can meaningfully cut freight and customs turnaround time compared to operating from a zone further from the cargo terminal.
Setup process
Activity & licence match
We confirm your activity fits DAFZA's permitted activity list and licence category - weighted toward logistics, freight forwarding, and aviation-linked trading, reflecting the zone's position directly at Dubai International Airport's cargo terminal.
Trade name reservation
Reserved directly with Dubai Airport Free Zone.
Application & documentation
Application form, passport copies, and Memorandum of Association submitted. Aviation-linked and time-sensitive cargo activities can require additional documentation given DAFZA's direct link to Dubai International Airport's cargo terminal.
Licence issuance
The DAFZA trade licence is issued by Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority once documents and fees are finalised. Facility packages tied to cargo or warehouse space typically involve confirming space allocation alongside issuance, given the zone's limited airport-adjacent footprint.
Office/facility & visa allocation
DAFZA's facilities are built around air-freight access - office and warehouse packages sit directly adjacent to the airport cargo terminal, which matters if your business moves high-value or time-sensitive goods.
DAFZA questions, answered.
No - while it suits aviation services well, its main draw for most businesses is air-freight-linked trading generally, not aviation specifically. Any business moving goods by air can benefit from the proximity.
JAFZA suits sea-freight and large-volume trading via Jebel Ali Port; DAFZA suits air-freight and time-sensitive, typically lower-volume, higher-value trading. The right choice depends on how your goods actually move.
Not usually - it's priced closer to JAFZA than to lower-cost zones like IFZA or RAKEZ, reflecting the airport infrastructure. It only makes sense if that proximity has real operational value for you.
Visa quota is tied to office or warehouse size, similar to most UAE free zones - facilities directly adjacent to the airport cargo terminal generally support higher allocations than a standard flexi-desk package.
Yes - DAFZA is one of the free zones that requires audited financial statements as a condition of annual licence renewal, alongside DMCC and JAFZA.
Start your DAFZA company setup.
Tell us your activity and we'll confirm the right licence category, cost, and timeline for DAFZA.