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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Zayed International Airport

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Emirate (United Arab Emirates)

IATA: AUH ICAO: OMAA

Longest Active Runway

13,471 ft

4,106 meters

Field Elevation

88 ft

27 m MSL

Runway Inventory

2 active

Lighted / Paved

Coordinates & Class

24.4410°, 54.6492°

LARGE AIRPORT

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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →

RunwayFacts Published Dataset

#39 of 650

In curated primary commercial index

Global Commercial Universe

#71 of 7558

Top 0.9% percentile worldwide

National Standing (United Arab Emirates)

#3 in AE

#3 of 12 in full national registry

vs Large Airport Median

+34.7%

Compared to 10,000 ft baseline

💡 Statistical Statement: Zayed International Airport's longest active runway measures 13,471 ft (4,106 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #39. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #71 worldwide (Top 0.9%) and #3 nationally in United Arab Emirates.

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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Zayed International Airport (AUH)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi represents the pinnacle of Arabian Gulf aviation investment. Its identical dual parallel runways are specifically sized to handle maximum takeoff weight departures during extreme 45°C+ summer heat. With full US Border Preclearance facilities housed inside its vast architectural Terminal A, AUH allows US-bound passengers to complete immigration and customs clearance before departure.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments

Dual parallel widely spaced runways 13L/31R (13,451 ft / 4,100 m) and 13R/31L (13,451 ft / 4,100 m).

Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities

Relocated to the mainland in 1982 from downtown Al Bateen. In November 2023, opened the monumental Zayed International Airport Terminal A, unifying Etihad Airways' global network operations.

Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role

Flagship gateway of the United Arab Emirates capital, located 62 NM southwest of Dubai International (DXB).

Data Nuances & Operational Quirks

Both runways feature identical 13,451 ft lengths and 2,000m lateral separation, enabling simultaneous independent parallel landings and departures in zero-visibility conditions.

📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) · United Arab Emirates Aeronautical Information Publication (UAE AIP)

Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.

ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy

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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

Zayed International Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 88 ft (27 m MSL) in Abu Dhabi. Situated in low-lying coastal terrain, the aerodrome benefits from dense ambient atmospheric pressure, maximizing turbine engine thrust and wing lift efficiency across all departure vectors.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

6 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

Flagship gateway of the United Arab Emirates capital, located 62 NM southwest of Dubai International (DXB). Within a 100 NM radius, the facility coordinates airspace flows with 6 qualifying commercial aerodromes, with Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) located 39.1 NM away.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 13,471 ft (4,106 m)

Zayed International Airport's active flight strips comprise 13R/31L (13,471 ft), 13L/31R (13,451 ft). With a longest active threshold of 13,471 ft (4,106 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator	Length (ft / m)	Width (ft / m)	Surface Material	Lighting	Status
13R/31L	13,471 ft (4106m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active
13L/31R	13,451 ft (4100m)	197 ft (60m)	`Asphalt (ASP)`	✅ Lighted	✅ Active

🧭 Comparative Aerodromes (100 NM Radius, ≥5,000 ft Paved)

Great-circle Haversine spatial proximity matching for commercial facilities with paved runway capacity within 100 NM.

Aerodrome Name	IATA	Distance	Longest Runway	Lighting
Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai(Jebel Ali))	`DWC`	39.1 NM (72.4 km)	14,764 ft	✅ Lighted
Al Ain International Airport (Al Ain)	`AAN`	53.6 NM (99.3 km)	13,123 ft	✅ Lighted
Dubai International Airport (Dubai)	`DXB`	62.5 NM (115.8 km)	14,590 ft	✅ Lighted
Sharjah International Airport (Sharjah)	`SHJ`	71.2 NM (131.9 km)	13,320 ft	✅ Lighted
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (Ras Al Khaimah)	`RKT`	99.4 NM (184.1 km)	12,336 ft	✅ Lighted
Fujairah International Airport (Fujairah)	`FJR`	99.9 NM (185 km)	10,007 ft	✅ Lighted

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database

Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01

Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected

Source Verification: Source-reported registry data

Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/auh.json ↗