Project Chaiwala (PCW), a Dubai chai brand founded in 2017 by Justin Joseph and Ahmed Kazim, has partnered with Swedish oat-based dairy alternative brand Oatly to launch The Karak Club at Dubai International Airport (DXB). The limited-time concept introduces karak chai with plant-based alternatives to travellers at the airport.
Lagardère Travel Retail supports The Karak Club, which runs across DXB Terminal 3 and select Terminal 1 outlets from 15 December 2025 to 15 February 2026. The concept uses Oatly’s non-dairy alternatives in formats including iced chai, smoothies, shakes and soft serve. Travellers can purchase limited-edition merchandise, including postcards, custom playing cards, luggage tags, stickers and tote bags.
Ahmed Kazim, Co-founder of Project Chaiwala, said:
“This is Project Chaiwala showcasing Dubai’s unique flavour to the world through Oatly’s plant-based magic, turning karak from a fresh milk tradition into a global lifestyle experience.”
Justin Joseph, Co-founder of Project Chaiwala, added:
“Born from our first Karak Club community event at Project Chaiwala’s Cinema Akil flagship in Alserkal Avenue, this DXB edition targets young, global urban travellers seeking authentic flavours of Dubai’s third-culture identity in a modern, accessible way. As a homegrown brand with global aspirations, we’re proud to champion Dubai’s multicultural spirit at DXB, following our representations at SXSW 2025 with Museum of the Future, EXPO 2020, and COP28.”
Dimitri de Martignac, Regional Director Oatly MEA, said:
“We’re honoured to bring the Karak Club to DXB, one of the world’s cultural melting pots, through our collaboration with Project Chaiwala and Lagardère Travel Retail UAE. Together, we’re celebrating the heritage of karak chai, reimagined with Oatly as a delicious alternative to the traditional dairy-based drink. In a moment of taste bonanza and rising non-coffee based beverages, Project Chaiwala’s creativity and Lagardère’s commitment to delivering lifestyle experiences at DXB enable us to bridge cultures through flavour for travellers and the wider airport community.”
Project Chaiwala was founded after chai breaks between Justin Joseph and Ahmed Kazim during their time as colleagues in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The founders drew inspiration from brainstorming sessions and travels to Darjeeling and West Bengal’s tea estates, based on their interest in creating the perfect cup of chai. Their first pop-up at Etisalat Beach Canteen led to the opening of the flagship Cinema Akil café in Alserkal Avenue in 2018. The café captures the brand’s ethos of “Blending Tradition, Brewing Innovation.” The café’s offerings include the signature Clove-Chocolate Karak, vada pav, cheese toast, spicy chana and Karak Groove Sessions with local DJs.
Project Chaiwala evolved from a café into an omnichannel brand, pivoting during the 2020 pandemic to expand into packaged retail. Handcrafted tea blends are now available at Spinneys, ENOC, Careem, Noon and Amazon. The brand employs over 20 team members across café, retail and B2B operations, including corporate outlets at ENBD and Standard Chartered, and more than 100 HORECA accounts. Project Chaiwala supports ethical initiatives promoting education, clean water access and women’s empowerment through proceeds from its clay kulhar cups.
Activation Locations at DXB:
- Project Chaiwala, Concourse C, S34, Terminal 3
- Project Chaiwala, Daily DXB, Concourse B, Terminal 3
- Project Chaiwala, Concourse A, Terminal 3
- FIX Coffee, Daily DXB, Terminal 1
