# Düsseldorf Airport expansion and operational updates > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dsseldorf-airport-expansion-and-operational-updates > Updated: 2026-08-27T08:48:31.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 4. Düsseldorf Airport has resubmitted its application to expand its operating permit, seeking to increase peak hourly capacity from 47 to 60 take-offs and landings. The proposal includes a cap of 131,000 flight movements during the six busiest months, though critics note this exceeds recent levels, such as the approximately 94,500 movements recorded in 2025. In revised plans submitted to the Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia, Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH detailed specific operational modifications. The proposal seeks to allow up to 60 movements per hour when both runways are available, and up to 45 movements when only the southern runway is in use. The expansion also includes the addition of eight new aircraft parking positions and the expansion of operational areas. Within the 131,000-movement cap, the airport intends to allocate up to 128,000 movements to scheduled and charter services, reserving at least 3,000 for other aviation types. Alongside these infrastructure and capacity efforts, the airport is expanding its international network. Air Arabia has announced it will launch daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and Düsseldorf starting December 16, 2026. This route, operated with Airbus A320neo aircraft, will serve as the airline’s third German destination. The expansion faces ongoing opposition from local residents and groups such as ‘Bürger gegen Fluglärm e. V.’, who remain concerned about noise and emissions. The Düsseldorf District Government will conduct a public participation process, with application documents scheduled for public inspection from September 2, 2026, through October 1, 2026, in several municipalities including Düsseldorf, Duisburg, and Essen. ## Claims - Air Arabia will launch daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and Düsseldorf starting December 16, 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Düsseldorf is Air Arabia’s third destination in Germany served from Sharjah, following Munich and Frankfurt. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The new route will be operated using Airbus A320neo aircraft. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Düsseldorf Airport submitted a revised capacity expansion application to the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport. (single source) - The expansion project includes eight new aircraft parking positions and expanded flight operation areas. (single source) - The proposal allows for a maximum of 60 flight movements per hour during periods when both runways are available. (single source) - The airport aims to maintain a limit of 131,000 flight movements during the six busiest months of the year. (single source) - Air Arabia will launch a direct flight service from Düsseldorf to Sharjah, UAE, starting December 16, 2026. (single source) - The new Sharjah route will utilize Airbus A320neo aircraft. (single source) - The direct flights to Sharjah will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Düsseldorf Airport seeks capacity expansion and new Sharjah route Düsseldorf Airport is seeking capacity expansion through revised infrastructure plans while Air Arabia prepares to launch daily non-stop flights between Sharjah and Düsseldorf starting December 2026. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dsseldorf-airport-submits-revised-expansion-plan-and-announces-new-sharjah-route ### 2026-08-25: Düsseldorf Airport submits revised capacity expansion plans Düsseldorf Airport has submitted revised capacity expansion plans, including new parking positions and increased daytime flight movement limits, for public review starting September 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dsseldorf-airport-submits-revised-capacity-expansion-plans ### 2026-08-22: Düsseldorf Airport hosts aviation event and reports summer growth Düsseldorf Airport hosted a sunrise event for aviation enthusiasts and reported an 8% increase in summer passenger numbers compared to last year, despite some recent flight disruptions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dsseldorf-airport-hosts-aviation-event-and-reports-summer-growth ### 2026-08-16: Düsseldorf Airport resubmits expansion application Düsseldorf Airport has resubmitted an expansion application seeking higher hourly flight limits, despite ongoing opposition from local noise-protection groups. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dsseldorf-airport-resubmits-expansion-application --- Cite as: Düsseldorf Airport expansion and operational updates. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dsseldorf-airport-expansion-and-operational-updates