Zayed
International Airport
Abu Dhabi’s international gateway, renamed from Abu Dhabi International in February 2024. Two 13,796 foot runways and Category 10 fire cover. Capable of anything, though most business aviation is better served at Al Bateen.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Fact-checked against Icarus Jet fleet and airport operations data · Last updated 2 September 2026
The Airport
Zayed International at a glance
The airport carries the ICAO code OMAA and the identifier AUH. Two parallel runways of 4,205 metres each, about 13,796 feet, at 88 feet elevation, with ICAO Category 10 fire cover.
The name changed. It was Abu Dhabi International until 9 February 2024, when it was renamed Zayed International in honour of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates. The codes did not change, and a great deal of published material still uses the old name.
The Real Question
Should you be here, or at Al Bateen?
Zayed International can take anything. That is not the issue. The issue is that Abu Dhabi has something almost no other city has: a dedicated business aviation airport six and a half miles from the centre.
Al Bateen is the default for most private trips into Abu Dhabi. Closer to the city, purpose-built for business jets, and with no airline schedule to be fitted around.
Zayed International earns its place in three cases. When the aircraft is too large for Al Bateen’s declared runway. When passengers are connecting onto a scheduled flight from the same airport. And when a specific customs or cargo requirement points here. Those are genuine, but they are exceptions rather than the rule.
Coming here by default costs ground time and buys capability you probably do not need.
Terminal A
The new terminal, and the renaming
The airport’s new main terminal, Terminal A, opened in 2023. It is roughly three times the size of the terminal it replaced, serves around 117 destinations, and is built to handle up to 45 million passengers a year.
The renaming to Zayed International was timed alongside it, under the directives of the UAE president. Together they mark Abu Dhabi’s step up as an international hub rather than a quieter alternative to Dubai.
For a private arrival this is mostly context rather than operational detail, but it explains why so much published material is out of date on both the name and the terminal layout.
Operating
Slots, permits and handling
The airport is slot coordinated. That is separate from the UAE landing permit, which is issued by the General Civil Aviation Authority for non-scheduled flights and applies at every UAE airport. Both are needed, the lead times differ, and we file them together because a slot without a permit is worth nothing.
Ground handling is not mandatory in the regulatory sense, which is a difference from Dubai International where it is. In practice every private movement uses an agent.
Jet A-1 is available. AVGAS is not, so a turboprop or piston operation into Abu Dhabi should look at Al Bateen, which carries both.
Nearby
Zayed International and the UAE fields
The UAE has more airport capacity in a small area than almost anywhere, and the choice is usually about congestion and ground time rather than capability.
OMDBDubai InternationalOMDWAl Maktoum International, DubaiOMADAl Bateen Executive, Abu Dhabi
OMSJSharjah InternationalOMRKRas Al Khaimah InternationalOMFJFujairah International
Al Bateen is the answer for most Abu Dhabi business aviation. In Dubai, Al Maktoum offers space and a facilitation regime while Dubai International is Level 3 coordinated. Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah cover the northern emirates and the east coast.
Airport guides & index
Questions
Zayed International, answered
Is Abu Dhabi International the same as Zayed International?
Yes. The airport was renamed Zayed International Airport with effect from 9 February 2024, honouring Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates. The codes are unchanged: AUH and OMAA. A great deal of published material still says Abu Dhabi International, so expect to see both names for some time yet.
Can private jets use Zayed International?
Yes. Two parallel runways of 13,796 feet each, ICAO Category 10 fire cover, and full international facilities. Nothing in business aviation stretches this airport. The question is usually whether you should be here rather than at Al Bateen, and for most private trips into Abu Dhabi the answer is Al Bateen.
Zayed International or Al Bateen for Abu Dhabi?
Al Bateen for most business aviation: it is a dedicated executive airport, closer to the city centre, with no airline schedule to fit around. Zayed International when the aircraft is too large for Al Bateen, when passengers are connecting onto a scheduled flight from the same airport, or when a specific customs or cargo requirement points here. Those are real cases, but they are the exceptions.
How long are the runways at Zayed International?
Two parallel runways, 13R/31L and 13L/31R, each 4,205 metres, which is about 13,796 feet. Field elevation is 88 feet. Fire cover is ICAO Category 10, the highest published category.
Does Zayed International require a slot?
Yes, it is slot coordinated. That is separate from the UAE landing permit, which is issued by the General Civil Aviation Authority for non-scheduled flights. Both are needed and the lead times differ, so we file them together.
What is Terminal A?
The airport's new main terminal, which opened in 2023 and is roughly three times the size of the terminal it replaced. It serves around 117 destinations and is built to handle up to 45 million passengers a year. The renaming to Zayed International was timed alongside its opening.
Is ground handling mandatory at Zayed International?
No, handling is not mandatory in the regulatory sense, though every private movement goes through an agent in practice. That is a difference from Dubai International, where handling is mandatory.
How far is Zayed International from Abu Dhabi city centre?
It sits outside the city, and Al Bateen is materially closer in at about 6.5 nautical miles from the centre. For a meeting in Abu Dhabi that ground time difference is real, and on a short turnaround it is often the deciding factor between the two airports.
Do you need a permit to fly privately into Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Landing permits for non-scheduled flights into the UAE are issued by the General Civil Aviation Authority, and the requirement applies at every UAE airport. It is separate from the airport slot and the two are filed together.
What fuel is available at Zayed International?
Jet A-1. Al Bateen also carries AVGAS, which is worth knowing if you are operating a turboprop or piston aircraft into Abu Dhabi, because it is not universally available in the region.
Is Zayed International busy for private traffic?
It carries a substantial scheduled operation, and private movements are fitted around it in the usual way. It is not congested in the manner of Dubai International, which is Level 3 coordinated, but neither is it a field built for business aviation. Al Bateen exists precisely to take that traffic, and it does.
What time zone is Abu Dhabi in?
Gulf Standard Time, UTC+4, all year. The UAE does not observe daylight saving.
Get Your Number
Request an Abu Dhabi charter
Send the aircraft and where in Abu Dhabi you are going. If Al Bateen will take the aeroplane we will usually recommend it and explain why. Where Zayed International is the right field we file the slot and the GCAA permit together.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203 or email charter@icarusjet.com. The desk is staffed 24/7.