Abu Dhabi International Airport is now Zayed International Airport

Image: Abu Dhabi Airports

Abu Dhabi’s international Airport is now officially  Zayed International Airport in honour of the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his legacy of connecting the UAE to the world.

The renaming ceremony, attended by dignitaries and stakeholders, was led by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, advisor of Special Affairs at the Presidential Court and chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports.

He expressed immense pride in honouring Sheikh Zayed’s achievements in uniting the nation and fostering its global connections.

The new name reflects the airport’s commitment to innovation, seamless travel experiences, and sustainability.

Zayed International Airport features state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the world’s largest terminal, Terminal A, capable of handling 45 million passengers annually. This terminal features cutting-edge technology like biometric screening and offers a wide range of retail and dining options.

The launch of Zayed International Airport’s new brand has been accompanied by video highlights of more than  1,750 drones coming together in an air display to form the airport’s new logo.

Zayed International Airport new logo and brand identity

The new brand identity unveiled today embodies the spirit of Abu Dhabi and its rich heritage. The logo draws inspiration from traditional dhow boats, date palms, and iconic landmarks like the Qasr Al Watan Fort.

This symbolises the airport’s role as a gateway to Emirati culture and invites travellers to create their own unique stories.

Elena Sorlini, MD and CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports said: “Zayed International Airport is a gateway through which we share Abu Dhabi and its heritage with the world, welcoming travellers by articulating the values of connectivity, innovation and sustainability. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees, partners and everyone else involved, 2023 has been an overwhelmingly positive year for Abu Dhabi Airports.

“I am particularly proud that since its opening, Terminal A‘s operations have been very successful. Passengers are given an authentic, inclusive, and seamless traveller experience rooted in the Emirati heritage of hospitality and powered by state-of-the-art technology. We are excited for what lies ahead for Zayed International Airport as it embarks on the next chapter of its journey under the cherished name of the Founding Father of the nation.”

Read: Elena Sorlini to helm Abu Dhabi Airports, named new MD and CEO

During the first 60 days after Terminal A became fully operational, Zayed International Airport welcomed 4.48 million passengers, with 1.21 million arrivals, 1.22 million departures, two million transfers and more than 24,000 flights. Zayed International Airport served 117 travel destinations in December 2023, an increase of 20 per cent from 100 cities in 2022, due to a rapidly growing airline network of 28 international carriers.

Abu Dhabi Airports’ passenger traffic results for 2023 show a significant increase in passenger demand.

A total of 22,935,316 passengers flew through one of Abu Dhabi’s five commercial airports from January to December, marking a 44.5 per cent increase in demand compared to 2022. The year also saw growth in other critical business areas, including air traffic movements (ATMs) across the five airports.

The total number of ATMs reached 226,362, surpassing the 2022 figure of 194,666 and reflecting a 16.3 per cent increase year-on-year.

This positive outlook is expected to continue in 2024 and beyond, solidifying Zayed International Airport’s position as a leading aviation hub in the region.

Spread the news: we are having a full weekend of celebrations at Zayed International Airport 🙌🏻 From discounts, to live music, personalized gifts and more, it is the BEST time to travel through Abu Dhabi 🇦🇪#auh #abudhabi #Zayedairport #shopping #travel pic.twitter.com/w8D94EKAy9

— Zayed International Airport (@AUH) February 10, 2024