UAE Airport Creating ‘VVIP’ Space for Select Wynn Casino Guests
Posted on: January 28, 2026, 11:10h.
Last updated on: January 28, 2026, 11:22h.
- High-end terminal scheduled to open next year
- It will feature various amenities targeting high rollers
- Traffic at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is soaring
Well-heeled guests visiting Wynn Al Marjan Island when that casino resort opens next year won’t have to wait to get there to enjoy plush perks because a “VVIP” terminal is being developed at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.
The new terminal is expected to open at some point next year and could be operational around the time Wynn’s $5.1 billion casino resort launches in the first quarter. The airport is developing the high-end terminal in partnership with Falcon Executive Aviation.
(The terminal will include a) royal lounge, four VVIP lounges, premium hospitality areas and an environment tailored to the needs of discreet, high-profile travelers,” airport CEO Manish Seth told Arabian Gulf Business Insight (AGBI).
Plans for the VVIP space were unveiled at the recent Dubai Airshow and are aimed at boosting the profile of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport as a prime destination for travelers arriving on private jets – the very clientele Wynn is catering to. The terminal will be a 15-minute drive from Wynn Al Marjan Island.
Why ‘VVIP’ Terminal Matters for Wynn Casino
One of the most often mentioned data points about the Wynn United Arab Emirates (UAE) integrated resort is that it’s an eight-hour flight from a significant percentage of the world’s population, implying the venue will be an integral driver of tourism to the flourishing emirate.
Wynn Al Marjan Island could be a major contributor in luring 3.5 million travelers per year to Ras Al Khaimah, the emirate in which the casino hotel is being built. The gaming company is hoping to draw at least one million guests annually to the property with the expectation that many will be repeat visitors. More perks, such as the VVIP terminal, could contribute to that goal being met or exceeded.
The new terminal could also be impactful in terms of positioning Ras Al Khaimah as a glitzy international tourist destination — perhaps a mini Dubai with the added benefit of being home to the Middle East’s first and only regulated gaming venue. It’s expected that the UAE will eventually approve more casinos, but Wynn Al Marjan will be the lone operator there for at least several years.
Wynn is self-funding its 40% share of the project. The gaming company’s local partners are Marjan LLC and RAK Hospitality Holding LLC.
Traffic at Ras Al Khaimah Airport Already Surging
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport’s plans for an exclusive terminal targeting wealthy visitors is well-timed because traffic at the airport is on the rise. Last year, it crossed one million passengers for the first time, marking a 51% jump from 2024.
Seth told AGBI the goal is to add another 50% to the 2025 figure by the end of 2027, which is potentially doable considering the Wynn casino hotel will be operational for the bulk of that year. Importantly, many of last year’s arrivals stayed overnight, indicating the Wynn venue could get off to a strong start.
The airport is also building a new, broader-use terminal that could accommodate up to 4.5 million annual arrivals.
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