From January 22, 2026, Dubai Airport Parking will transition to an entirely cashless, ticketless system. This major change follows a landmark 10-year agreement signed between the official Salik Company and the Dubai Airports.
Drivers will no longer need to pull paper tickets or visit payment machines before they exit the terminal areas. The system uses high-definition cameras to scan license plates and deduct fees automatically from an active Salik e-wallet.
Record Traffic Drives New Parking Innovation
Dubai International Airport handled a record 96 million passengers in 2025. This massive surge in guest numbers requires faster processing times at every single touchpoint within the busy facility. According to CEO Paul Griffiths, integrating digital payments is essential for maintaining smooth traffic flow during peak travel seasons.
The home base for Emirates and flydubai now prioritizes automation to manage the parking of the world’s highest international passenger volumes.
| Parking Duration | Premium Rate (T1/T2/T3) | Economy Rate (T1/T2) |
| Up to 1 Hour | AED 30 | AED 15 – AED 25 |
| Up to 2 Hours | AED 40 | AED 20 – AED 30 |
| Daily Maximum | AED 125 | AED 70 – AED 85 |
| Additional Day | AED 100 | AED 50 – AED 75 |
Seamless Integration Across All Terminals
The rollout covers more than 7,000 parking spaces across Terminals 1, 2, 3, and the Cargo Mega Terminal. More than 4 million vehicles in the UAE already have Salik accounts, making this a very familiar payment method.
Travelers can now experience a drive-through system similar to the city’s highway toll gates. Make sure your Salik account has enough balance to pay the usual parking fees when you exit.
To ensure a smooth transition, the new 10-year partnership focuses on these primary goals for all airport guests:
- Eliminating paper tickets and the need for physical cash payments at any airport parking exit.
- Reducing vehicle congestion at terminal barriers by using advanced automated license plate recognition technology.
- Providing a unified digital payment experience for millions of residents and international visitors across Dubai.
- Accelerating the entry and exit process for travelers during the busiest quarterly periods of the year.
Conclusion
The integration of Salik into Dubai Airport Parking represents a major leap forward for urban mobility and traveler convenience. This change simplifies the journey for millions and ensures that leaving the airport is as fast as arriving there.
What do you think about this development? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Keep following the Arabwheels Blog for the latest sharp insights, exclusive UAE updates, and global automotive trends that matter.