Of course, it is common for countries to have multiple international airports; most do if they have multiple population centers. The UAE, though, stands out, having more than its population of just 10 million would suggest. But with multiple Emirates within the country and two large airlines, this makes sense.
Airports in the UAE
Everyone has heard of the large airports at Dubai and Abu Dhabi, home to Emirates and Etihad. Of course, these are both located in the same country, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And they are not alone. There are at least 12 airports with IATA codes and a further 10 with ICAO codes in the UAE (mostly small, private, or executive airfields).
Of the IATA registered airports, the following are the most significant:
- Dubai International Airport (DXB). The home base of Emirates and the largest airport in the UAE (and the fourth busiest globally in 2019).
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH). The home of Etihad and the second largest airport in the UAE.
- Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI). A business airport near Abu Dhabi. It was the main airport before AUH was built in the 1980s.
- Al Ain International Aiport (AAN). Northeast of Abu Dhabi, serving several regional flights.
- Dubai World Central / Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). It opened in 2010 and currently serving a few airlines regionally (many of the flights are seasonal). Huge expansion is planned, though, with completion expected in 2027.
- Fujairah International Airport (FJR). It currently only operates cargo flights.
- Sharjah International Airport (SHJ). A significant passenger and cargo airport in the north of the UAE. It is the main base for low-cost airline Air Arabia and also serves several other Indian and Asian airlines.
- Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT). In the far north of the UAE, serving several regional flights, including SpiceJet and Air Arabia.
- Sir Bani Yas Airport (XSB). A small airport serving Sir Bai Yas Island in the south of the UAE. It used to have domestic service to Abu Dhabi, but this was dropped in 2017.
Multiple Emirates in one country
To understand why there are so many airports, we need to look at the political make-up of the UAE. While it is one country, it is made up of separate Emirates; seven in total ( Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm Al Quwain). Each of these Emirates has its own land area, and its own government, and Sheikh ruler.
The history and operation of these Emirates are an interesting discussion but over the scope of this article. Importantly for this discussion, each Emirate takes responsibility for much of its own policies, controls, and financial affairs (but passes some revenue to the central UAE budget).
While they work together as the UAE, there remains an element of competition (and differing strategy) between the Emirates. And this has given rise to separate airports in each of the Emirates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two most significant examples. Each has its own airline (with an associated airport). But there is further competition too; Abu Dhabi, for example, controls much of the oil revenue; whereas Dubai has the largest city and most population.
It is not surprising then that five of these Emirates have separate airports ( Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah). These serve either their own airlines or those that particular Emirate has negotiated links with. There are also trade links; several airports are used primarily for freight on behalf of that Emirates. And Ras Al Khaimah has a growing role under the Free Trade Zone established in that Emirate.
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And two major airlines
As well as multiple Emirates with separate governments, the UAE has two main airlines. Emirates and Etihad are both government-owned airlines, but by separate Emirates. This explains why they both exist and operate very separately; and why despite issues over the years, there is little chance of any merger between them.
These obviously account for the separate airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. And with significant expansion, they account for others too. Dubai World Central will evolve to be a new hub for Emirates, and Etihad has already outgrown its first airport, which still remains for private flights. And with the lack of domestic flights, this remains an international airport.
Would you like to share any thoughts, or further details, about the aviation landscape in the UAE? Let us know in the comments.
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