Zayed International Airport
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Zayed International Airport
Abu Dhabi's gateway, renamed to honor the UAE's founding father.
- ›Terminal A is among the largest airport terminal buildings in the world, covering approximately 742,000 square meters.
- ›The airport was renamed Zayed International Airport in 2023 in honor of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
- ›Etihad Airways, the UAE's national carrier, uses the airport as its primary hub.
- ›The airport handled over 23 million passengers in 2022 and has capacity targets exceeding 45 million annually with the new terminal.
- ›The airport's ICAO code is OMAA and it is located approximately 30 kilometers east of Abu Dhabi city center.
Zayed International Airport, formerly Abu Dhabi International Airport, serves as the primary aviation hub for the UAE capital and home base for Etihad Airways. Renamed in 2023 in honour of the nation's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the airport underwent a transformative expansion with the opening of the landmark Terminal A, one of the largest airport terminal buildings in the world. It connects Abu Dhabi to over 100 destinations across six continents, anchoring the emirate's ambitions as a global travel crossroads.
- Terminal A — The massive new centrepiece terminal opened in 2023, handling Etihad Airways and most major international carriers with state-of-the-art facilities across its vast concourses.
- Terminal B — Legacy terminal now primarily used for select low-cost and charter operations following the opening of Terminal A.
- Terminal C — Previously handling overflow international traffic, now operating in a reduced capacity alongside the new Terminal A infrastructure.
- Abu Dhabi Integrated Bus Service routes connecting to Abu Dhabi city centre and Al Wahda Bus Terminal
- Metered taxis available at designated ranks outside arrivals halls
- Ride-hailing apps including Careem and Uber operating from the airport
- Car rental counters from Hertz, Avis, Budget, and Europcar in the arrivals area
- Hotel shuttle buses offered by major nearby properties on request
- Limousine and private chauffeur services bookable through Etihad and third-party providers
- Marriott Hotel Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi
- Premier Inn Abu Dhabi Airport
- Centro Capital Centre by Rotana
- Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Abu Dhabi Corniche
- Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi
Terminal A features an extensive dining precinct spanning local Emirati cuisine, international fast food chains, and upscale sit-down restaurants spread across its concourses. Travellers can find options ranging from Arabic mezze and shawarma outlets to global brands such as Shake Shack and Costa Coffee. Outside the airport in the Capital Centre district, a broader selection of restaurants and hotel dining venues is easily accessible by taxi.
- Allow extra time when navigating Terminal A for the first time — its scale is vast and walking distances between gates can be significant.
- Abu Dhabi operates a pre-clearance facility for US-bound passengers; arrive early if using this service as screening takes additional time.
- Dress modestly when transiting or departing, as UAE cultural norms are observed within the terminal environment.
- Currency exchange counters and ATMs are plentiful airside, but rates at city banks or ATMs in arrivals are generally more favourable.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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Zayed International Airport, also known as Abu Dhabi International Airport, is the primary international airport serving Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the second busiest airport in the UAE after Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the Middle East and is the hub for Etihad Airways as well as an operating base for Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.
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