Zayed International Airport: Your Complete Guide
Planning to visit Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi? Let me be your local guide to this destination.
Zayed International Airport (IATA: AUH, ICAO: OMAA) is Abu Dhabi's primary international airport and the UAE's second-busiest aviation hub. Renamed in February 2024 in honor of UAE Founding Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the airport has undergone massive expansion culminating in the opening of Terminal A—one of the world's largest airport terminals—in November 2023.
Airport Scale
-
Area: 15,000 acres (6,000 hectares)
-
Location: 30.6 km (19 miles) east of Abu Dhabi
-
Airlines: 30+ carriers serving 120+ destinations
-
Hub: Etihad Airways headquarters and primary base
Terminals
Terminal A (Opened November 2023)
-
Floor area: 780,000+ square meters (8.4 million sq ft)
-
Global ranking: Among world's largest airport terminals
-
Passenger capacity: 45 million annually (expandable to 60 million)
-
Peak capacity: 11,000 passengers per hour
-
Aircraft gates: 79 (including Airbus A380 compatible)
-
Design: X-shaped layout optimizing passenger flow
Terminal A Features
-
Four themed piers: Desert, sea, city, and oasis landscape inspirations
-
Biometric integration: First airport with 9 biometric touch points
-
Water conservation: 45% reduction in consumption
-
Solar power: 7,500 panels generating 3MW power
-
Carbon reduction: 5,300 tons annual CO2 savings
-
Weather capability: Advanced surface movement control (Middle East first)
Historical Terminals
- Terminal 1, 2, 3: Legacy facilities now consolidated
Operations & Airlines
Etihad Airways
-
Primary hub and operating base
-
Premium lounge access
-
Award-winning customer service
-
Extensive international network
Additional Carriers
-
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi
-
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
-
27+ other international airlines
Connectivity
-
US Pre-clearance: First in Middle East/Asia (since 2014)
-
US immigration: Pre-arrival customs processing
-
Direct destinations: New York, Washington, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles
-
Border efficiency: Avoided lengthy US arrival queues
Facilities & Services
Passenger Services
-
Duty-free retail (Abu Dhabi Duty Free - ADDF)
-
F&B establishments and cafes
-
Concierge services
-
Business lounges
-
Family amenities
-
Prayer facilities
Accessibility
-
Public transit: Bus services connecting emirate
-
Taxis/ride-sharing: Available throughout
-
Parking: Extensive vehicle parking
-
Hotel connectivity: Nearby accommodations
Future Expansion
-
Land area: 60 square kilometers allocated for development
-
Cargo capacity: 2 million tonnes annually (ultimate)
-
Commercial zones: Business parks and property developments
-
Ultimate growth: Additional facility potentially reaching 80 million capacity
Transportation Efficiency
-
Travel times: 30 minutes to Abu Dhabi center
-
Regional connectivity: Hub for Middle East travel
-
Intercontinental reach: Global gateway status
Awards & Recognition
-
2011: Second Best Airport in Middle East (ACI Awards)
-
2024: World's best airport renovations
-
Continuous recognition: Global aviation excellence
Visitor Experience
Passengers enjoy:
-
Modern, efficient facilities
-
Streamlined biometric processing
-
Multiple dining and shopping options
-
Comfortable lounge areas
-
Professional staff assistance
-
Quick transit through terminal
Sustainability Focus
The airport prioritizes:
-
Carbon reduction initiatives
-
Water conservation technologies
-
Renewable energy integration
-
Environmental stewardship
-
Green building standards