List of Airports in United Arab Emirates
As of 2024, there are 9 airports throughout the country of United Arab Emirates according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in United Arab Emirates are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in United Arab Emirates
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abu Dhabi International Airport | AUH | Abu Dhabi | Large |
| 2 | Al Ain Airport | AAN | Al Ain | Medium |
| 3 | Al Dhafra Military Airport | DHF | Abu Dhabi | Small |
| 4 | Bateen Airport | AZI | Abu Dhabi | Small |
| 5 | Dubai International Airport | DXB | Dubai | Huge |
| 6 | Fujairah International Airport | FJR | Al-Fujairah | Small |
| 7 | Military Airport | NHD | Minhad Ab | Small |
| 8 | Ras Al Khaimah Airport | RKT | Ras Al Khaimah | Medium |
| 9 | Sharjah International Airport | SHJ | Sharjah | Medium |
Major Airports in United Arab Emirates
1. Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Airport Code: DXB
Time Zone: Gulf Standard Time (GST) / UTC+4
Address: Dubai International Airport, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Nearby Cities:
- Dubai (0 miles)
- Sharjah (13 miles)
- Abu Dhabi (85 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Emirates
- flydubai
- Air India
- British Airways
- Lufthansa
- Qatar Airways
- Turkish Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 89 million passengers (2023)
Airport Location and History
Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the busiest airport in the Middle East and one of the busiest in the world in terms of international passenger traffic. It is located just 2 miles southeast of the city center of Dubai, in the Al Garhoud area. The airport opened in 1960 with a small terminal and a single runway, and it has since grown into a global aviation hub.
Dubai International’s growth is closely tied to the rapid expansion of Dubai as a global business and tourism center. Emirates Airlines, which is based at DXB, has played a significant role in the airport’s success, connecting Dubai to nearly every major city in the world. DXB serves as a key transit hub, especially for travelers between Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Its world-class services, including luxury lounges, shopping, and dining options, make it a popular stop for international travelers.
As Dubai continues to grow, DXB is undergoing constant upgrades and expansions to meet the ever-increasing demand for air travel. The airport is poised to remain one of the most significant aviation hubs in the world.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Dubai International Airport has three terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 for international flights, and Terminal 2 for regional and low-cost carriers. It has two runways, both of which are capable of handling the largest commercial aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747.
- Runway 1: 4,000 meters
- Runway 2: 4,000 meters
Both runways are equipped with advanced systems to handle high volumes of air traffic and are fully capable of supporting wide-body aircraft. The airport’s terminals are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including luxury lounges, duty-free shopping, numerous dining options, hotels, and passenger services. It also has multiple concourses, extensive baggage handling systems, and efficient customs and immigration facilities. The airport is equipped with the latest technology for passenger convenience and safety, ensuring smooth operations and a top-tier travel experience for passengers.
2. Abu Dhabi International Airport
Airport Code: AUH
Time Zone: Gulf Standard Time (GST) / UTC+4
Address: Abu Dhabi International Airport, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Nearby Cities:
- Abu Dhabi (0 miles)
- Dubai (85 miles)
- Al Ain (85 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Etihad Airways
- Air India
- Qatar Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- British Airways
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 27 million passengers (2023)
Airport Location and History
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) serves as the primary gateway to the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi. Located about 19 miles east of the city center, the airport has been operational since 1982. Initially, the airport was built to handle limited traffic, but over the years, it has been continuously expanded to meet the increasing demands of both international and domestic flights.
Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, is based at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and the airport serves as a key hub for the airline’s long-haul flights, especially to Europe, Asia, and Australia. The airport has grown in stature over the years, becoming an important international transit point, especially as Abu Dhabi has developed into a major business, cultural, and tourism center in the Middle East.
In recent years, Abu Dhabi International has invested heavily in upgrading its infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of passengers and to provide a world-class experience for travelers.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Abu Dhabi International Airport has three terminals: Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the new Terminal 3, which is dedicated to Etihad Airways and its partners. The airport also has two runways, both of which are capable of handling wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380.
- Runway 1: 4,100 meters
- Runway 2: 4,100 meters
Both runways are long enough to accommodate large aircraft, and the airport’s facilities are designed to handle a high volume of passengers, particularly during peak travel seasons. The airport offers a variety of passenger services, including luxury lounges, extensive duty-free shopping, dining options, and an airport hotel. With its modern terminals, passenger-friendly amenities, and capacity for handling large aircraft, Abu Dhabi International Airport is well-positioned as a global aviation hub.
3. Sharjah International Airport
Airport Code: SHJ
Time Zone: Gulf Standard Time (GST) / UTC+4
Address: Sharjah International Airport, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Nearby Cities:
- Sharjah (0 miles)
- Dubai (13 miles)
- Ajman (12 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Air Arabia
- Flynas
- Pegasus Airlines
- Gulf Air
- EgyptAir
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 13 million passengers (2023)
Airport Location and History
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is located in the Emirate of Sharjah, just 13 miles northeast of Dubai, and is one of the busiest airports in the UAE. Opened in 1977, Sharjah International initially served as a regional hub, but it has grown significantly over the years, particularly as a base for low-cost carrier Air Arabia, which started operations in 2003. Today, the airport serves as an important gateway for both domestic and international flights, particularly to destinations in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
Sharjah International Airport has gained a reputation for being a cost-effective alternative to Dubai International, attracting low-cost carriers and budget travelers. Despite its smaller size compared to Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, Sharjah International remains a key player in the UAE’s aviation sector.
The airport has been modernized and expanded several times to accommodate growing passenger numbers, and it continues to support a wide range of airlines offering both full-service and budget flights.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Sharjah International Airport has a single terminal that serves both international and domestic flights. The airport operates two runways:
- Runway 1: 3,800 meters
- Runway 2: 3,800 meters
Both runways are designed to accommodate large commercial aircraft, including wide-body jets like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A330. The airport’s infrastructure is sufficient for its current volume of traffic, with multiple check-in counters, lounges, duty-free shopping, and dining facilities. Sharjah International also offers ground services such as car rentals and taxis, along with easy access to transportation links to Dubai and other neighboring Emirates. The airport is continually working to improve its infrastructure and passenger services to remain competitive with other regional hubs.
4. Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum International Airport)
Airport Code: DWC
Time Zone: Gulf Standard Time (GST) / UTC+4
Address: Dubai World Central, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Nearby Cities:
- Dubai (23 miles)
- Sharjah (29 miles)
- Abu Dhabi (60 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- flydubai
- Wizz Air
- Qatar Airways
- Air India
- Lufthansa
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 1.5 million passengers (2023)
Airport Location and History
Dubai World Central (DWC), also known as Al Maktoum International Airport, is located about 23 miles southwest of Dubai’s city center, in the Jebel Ali area. The airport was initially designed to be a large cargo hub, and it remains one of the world’s largest cargo airports. Construction began in 2006, and the airport opened in 2010, initially focusing on freight traffic.
While DWC is still a major cargo hub, its passenger terminal was inaugurated in 2013, and it has since been developed as a secondary airport to support Dubai International (DXB) due to growing passenger demand. DWC is expected to play an increasingly important role in Dubai’s aviation future, especially as passenger traffic at DXB continues to rise.
In terms of its development, DWC aims to accommodate more than 160 million passengers annually once fully completed. It is part of the larger Dubai World Central project, which encompasses not just the airport but also industrial and residential areas.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Dubai World Central currently has one terminal for passenger flights and two runways:
- Runway 1: 4,500 meters
- Runway 2: 4,500 meters
Both runways are long enough to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. The airport is designed with the capability to expand, and its spacious layout is intended to handle increasing volumes of air traffic. The terminal is equipped with modern facilities, including lounges, shopping areas, and dining options. As a secondary airport to Dubai International, DWC is positioned to handle increasing passenger and cargo traffic as it expands in the coming years.
5. Fujairah International Airport
Airport Code: FJR
Time Zone: Gulf Standard Time (GST) / UTC+4
Address: Fujairah International Airport, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates
Nearby Cities:
- Fujairah (0 miles)
- Dubai (75 miles)
- Sharjah (60 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Air India
- FlyDubai
- SalamAir
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 200,000 passengers (2023)
Airport Location and History
Fujairah International Airport (FJR) is located in the emirate of Fujairah, which lies along the eastern coast of the UAE, about 75 miles from Dubai. The airport opened in 1987 and was initially intended to serve the eastern region of the UAE, offering flights primarily to the Indian subcontinent and other regional destinations.
Although Fujairah International has not seen the same level of growth as the major airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it serves as an important regional hub for both international flights and cargo operations. The airport’s location along the Gulf of Oman provides an alternative entry point to the UAE, especially for travelers based in or visiting the eastern emirates.
The airport is undergoing gradual improvements to enhance passenger services and facilities and to attract more international carriers. It is also a popular choice for airlines operating flights to and from India, Pakistan, and other parts of the Gulf region.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Fujairah International Airport has a single terminal and one runway:
- Runway: 3,000 meters
The runway is suitable for handling medium-sized aircraft, such as Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s, but it does not currently have the capacity to accommodate larger wide-body aircraft. The airport offers basic amenities, including check-in counters, lounges, baggage claim, and limited shopping facilities. Given its location and smaller scale, Fujairah International is primarily used for regional travel, with an emphasis on connecting the eastern UAE to South Asia and other nearby regions. The airport continues to expand its services to meet the needs of both passengers and airlines.
