AUH Airport Code: What It Means for Abu Dhabi

AUH is the IATA code for Zayed International Airport, the main international gateway of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. If you have seen AUH on a boarding pass, a baggage tag or a flight search and wondered where it points, this is the answer: every flight coded AUH lands at this airport on the mainland east of Abu Dhabi city. The ICAO code, used by pilots and air traffic control rather than by passengers, is OMAA.

The airport used to be called Abu Dhabi International Airport, and many travellers, older booking confirmations and signposts still use that name. It was renamed Zayed International Airport in honour of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE. The code did not change, so searches for "AUH airport", "AUH Zayed International" and "Abu Dhabi airport" all lead to the same place. It is run by Abu Dhabi Airports, the government-owned company that manages the emirate's airports.

Keep the code handy when you search. Typing AUH rather than the city name makes sure you are looking at flights into Abu Dhabi itself, and not at Dubai, which has its own airports and codes further up the coast.

Where Zayed International Airport Is in Abu Dhabi

Zayed International Airport sits on the mainland, roughly 30 kilometres east of downtown Abu Dhabi. The city centre, including the Corniche and the main business districts, is on an island, so the drive in crosses one of the bridges that link the island to the mainland.

That location is handy for leisure trips. Yas Island, home to the city's big theme parks and the Formula One circuit, is less than 20 minutes away by road. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque lies between the airport and downtown, so it is an easy first or last stop. Allow about half an hour to reach the city centre by car in normal traffic, and more at rush hour.

The airport connects directly to the E10 highway, which feeds into the wider UAE road network. That makes road trips from the airport to other parts of the emirate, such as Al Ain, or north towards Dubai, straightforward by car.

Terminal A at Zayed International Airport

All passenger flights at AUH now use a single building, Terminal A. The older Terminals 1, 2 and 3 have closed, so there is no need to work out which terminal your airline uses: check-in, departures and arrivals for every carrier are under one roof.

Terminal A is built in an X shape. After check-in you pass through one central security area, and from there four piers branch out, with gates grouped under the letters A, B, C and D. Because every pier starts from the same central hub, walks to the gates stay reasonable, and moving walkways help on the longer stretches. Screens throughout the building show which pier and gate your flight leaves from.

Check-in and self-service

The check-in hall has staffed desks alongside self-service kiosks for printing boarding passes and bag tags. Etihad Airways, the main airline in the terminal, opens check-in four hours before departure. Economy check-in closes 60 minutes before the flight, and premium check-in 45 minutes before. Other airlines set their own times, so check your booking.

US Customs and Border Protection preclearance

Zayed International Airport has a US preclearance facility. Passengers on flights to the United States clear American immigration and customs in Abu Dhabi before boarding, so they arrive in the US as if on a domestic flight. If you are heading to the US, build extra time into your airport schedule for this step.

Facilities and Services at AUH Airport

Terminal A was designed for long-haul transit passengers, and most of the facilities reflect that. You can expect:

• Free Wi-Fi across the terminal.
• Prayer rooms for men and women, in line with local custom.
• Food and drink, from quick cafés to sit-down restaurants, spread across the central area and the piers.
• Duty-free and retail shops selling fragrances, cosmetics, electronics, local dates and sweets, and travel essentials.
• Family facilities such as baby-changing rooms.
• Medical services inside the terminal for travellers who feel unwell.
• Currency exchange counters for arriving and departing passengers.
• Left-luggage storage, a paid service for anyone who wants to explore Abu Dhabi during a long layover without carrying bags.

Accessible toilets and assistance for passengers with reduced mobility are also available. Request help through your airline when you book, so staff are ready when you arrive.

Airlines and Flights from Zayed International Airport

AUH is the home base of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE. Etihad links Abu Dhabi with Europe, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia and Australia, and its network is built around connections through Terminal A. For travellers in Southeast Asia, Etihad flies between Abu Dhabi and both Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, which makes AUH a common stopover on journeys onward to Europe and the Middle East.

The airport is also a base for Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, a low-cost carrier serving routes across the Gulf, the Middle East and South Asia. Many other international airlines fly into AUH as well, so the list of carriers and destinations is wide. It does change from season to season, though.

The best way to see which airlines currently fly the route you want is to search "flights from AUH" or "flights to AUH" with your dates. A search on Traveloka lists the direct and connecting options side by side, including departure times and journey lengths.

Getting from AUH Airport to Abu Dhabi City

Public bus

Public buses leave from outside the arrivals area. Routes A1 and A2 run around the clock between the airport and central Abu Dhabi, which is useful if your flight lands late at night. Buses are the budget option, but they stop along the way and take longer than a taxi.

Taxi

Metered taxis wait outside the arrivals hall of Terminal A. A taxi is the most direct way to reach hotels downtown, on Yas Island or on Saadiyat Island. The ride to the city centre usually takes around half an hour, depending on traffic and where you are staying.

Car rental and private transfers

Several car rental companies have desks at the airport, and the E10 highway makes it easy to drive into the city or across the emirate. Many hotels also arrange private transfers if you book them in advance.

Tips for Flying Through Zayed International Airport

• Arrive early for long-haul flights. Three hours before an international departure is a comfortable buffer, especially if you are checking bags. For US-bound flights, add time for preclearance.
• Check in online first. Most airlines at AUH let you check in on their website or app, which cuts down time at the desks. Self-service kiosks can print your boarding pass and bag tags.
• Know your pier. Once through central security, follow signs to pier A, B, C or D. Check the screens again before you settle down, as gates can change.
• Dress for air conditioning. Outside can be very hot for much of the year, but the terminal is kept cool, so a light layer helps on long waits.
• Plan for peak periods. School holidays and major religious holidays bring busy check-in queues. Leave extra time in those weeks.
• Keep liquids in hand luggage small. Standard international security rules apply, so pack liquids in small containers inside a clear bag.

Things to Do Near Zayed International Airport and in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi works well as a stopover or a short break. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, with its white domes and marble courtyards, is the first sight many visitors head for, and it sits on the way from the airport to the city. Visitors must dress modestly, and women are asked to cover their hair.

Yas Island, close to the airport, is the city's leisure hub, with theme parks, a waterpark, a large mall, beaches and the Yas Marina Circuit. Saadiyat Island is the cultural district, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and long stretches of beach.

In the city itself, the Corniche is a waterfront promenade lined with parks and beaches, ideal for an evening walk. Qasr Al Watan, the presidential palace, is open to visitors. For a taste of the desert, many tour operators run evening dune trips from the city.

Ready to travel through AUH? Compare flights to and from Zayed International Airport on Traveloka and set a Price Alert for your route.