3 Reasons to Travel From Sharjah International Airport

Sharjah International Airport is the main freight hub serving the emirate of Sharjah. Connecting several local and global destinations, it acts as a key entry point for travelling throughout the UAE. 

To help you easily navigate the airport on your trips, Burj Diary has gathered all the crucial information on Sharjah Airport below, covering its facilities, airlines, destinations and more. If you’re also considering catching a flight at this popular regional airfield, whether as a new or frequent traveller, here is everything you should be aware of for a smooth journey. 

About Sharjah International Airport:

Managed by the Sharjah Airport Authority, Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is a public and military airport in Sharjah situated 13 km in the east-southeast section of the emirate, 10 km away from the Sharjah city centre and around 20 minutes drive away from Dubai Airport.

It’s also the third-largest airfreight in the Middle East in cargo tonnage and the home base of Air Arabia (the first low-cost carrier of the region). It spans over 1538 hectares of land with a 35-meter elevation above mean sea level.  

The airport officially started operations in 1977 by welcoming the Concorde 202 G-BBDG aircraft coming from England, and today, it’s connected to over 100 destinations worldwide through 33 international airlines. As per recent stats, it handled a total of 15.3 million passengers and over 141,000 tonnes of cargo volumes in 2023, breaking all the records of previous years.

Although comparatively smaller than Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports, the airport has grown to accommodate an increasing number of carriers and contains all the essentials to give you a convenient air travel experience. You can access several premium airlines, book affordable tickets to other emirates and countries, and quickly reach the airport to and from various points in the town to ensure on-time boardings. No wonder it’s becoming a progressively popular choice among all UAE travellers.

Let’s take a look at what flights and facilities you can get here. 

Airlines

Sharjah Airport currently hosts the flights of 49 airlines serving over 180 routes as follows: 

1. Air Arabia (75 routes)
2. Air India Express (13 routes)
3. DAT (8 routes)
4. Pakistan International Airlines (6 routes)
5. Magma Aviation (4 routes)
6. ROM Cargo Airlines (4 routes)
7. Singapore Airlines (4 routes)
8. Singapore Airlines Cargo (4 routes)
9. IndiGo (4 routes)
10. AirBlue (4 routes)
11. Aerotranscargo (4 routes)
12. Cham Wings (3 routes)
13. Cham Wings Airlines (3 routes)
14. Ethiopian Cargo (3 routes)
15. Ethiopian Airlines (2 routes)
16. Serene Air (2 routes)
17. IndiGo CarGo (2 routes)
18. Jeju Air (2 routes)
19. Biman Bangladesh Airlines (2 routes)
20. Syrian Air (2 routes)
21. Tarco Aviation (1 route)
22. UR Airlines (1 route)
23. US-Bangla Airlines (1 route)
24. Uzbekistan Airways (1 route)
25. VistaJet (1 route)
26. Air Cairo (1 route)
27. AIX Connect (1 route)
28. AnadoluJet (1 route)
29. Astral Aviation (1 route)
30. Belavia (1 route)
31. Jordan Aviation (1 route)
32. MAE Aircraft Management (1 route)
33. Compass Cargo Airlines (1 route)
34. Egyptair (1 route)
35. Egyptair Cargo (1 route)
36. SalamAir (1 route)
37. SalamAir Cargo (1 route)
38. Sky Vision Airlines (1 route)
39. SmartLynx (1 route)
40. Solairus Aviation (1 route)
41. SpiceXpress (1 route)
42. FlyEgypt (1 route)
43. Georgian Airlines (1 route)
44. Network Aviation (1 route)
45. Nile Air (1 route)
46. Pegasus (1 route)
47. Qatar Airways (1 route)
48. Red Wings (1 route)
49. Redstar Aviation (1 route)

All of them combined fly around 2004 weekly flights to and from the Sharjah airport. Complete information on the airlines and their weekly destinations/routes can be found here.  

Destinations

You can travel to the following domestic and international destinations from the Sharjah Airport.

Domestic: 4

• Ras Al Khaimah
• Abu Dhabi
• Fujairah
• Jebel Ali

International: 45

• India
• Pakistan
• Saudi Arabia
• Egypt
• Russia
• Syrian Arab Republic
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• Iran
• Bangladesh
• Belgium
• Iraq
• Netherlands
• Germany
• Oman
• Kenya
• Jordan
• United Arab Emirates
• Azerbaijan
• Uzbekistan
• Thailand
• Switzerland
• Qatar
• Chad
• Kyrgyzstan
• Nigeria
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Sudan
• Lebanon
• Malaysia
• Nepal
• Kazakhstan
• Kuwait
• Denmark
• France
• Georgia
• Italy
• Bahrain
• Armenia
• Bulgaria
• Belarus
• Uganda
• United States

According to 2023 records, the most traveled international destination from the airport was India (with over 3.4 million passengers), followed by Saudi Arabia (1.5 million passengers) and Pakistan (1.2 million passengers). 

Click here to find full details on these countries’ landing cities and airports, the number of flights and the airline names flying to and from the respective destinations.

Layout and Facilities

Now that you have an idea about hosted airlines and locations, let’s explore the airport facilities and layout so that you know what to expect when you arrive there. 

Layout:

The airport consists of 1 runway (12/30), 1 passenger terminal building and 5 cargo terminals. 

The passenger terminal building comprises two floors on an area of 105 300 square meters. You’ll find check in-counters, food spots, gift and retail shops, baggage wrapping and claim section, prayer rooms, bathrooms and currency exchange desks on the ground floor, while the first floor includes 25 boarding gates, kids play and money exchange section, ATMs, VIP lounges, immigration areas, duty-free shops and a food hall. 

The cargo terminals are present in the cargo centre facility of the airport and cover an area of 32,000 square meters. Each terminal is used for different purposes as follows:

• Cargo Terminal One deals with charter operations
• Cargo Terminal Two hosts Lufthansa Cargo
• Cargo Terminal Three is used for flight forwarders 
• Cargo Terminal Four is designated for surplus imports and customs 
• Cargo Terminal Five is employed for scheduled operations 

Facilities:

From basic restrooms and wheelchair accessibility to premium waiting lounges, The Sharjah International Airports provide wholesome amenities to make your travelling experience as comfortable and luxurious as possible. These include:

Free Wi-Fi:

The airport offers unlimited Wi-Fi access to visitors without any registration or fee. You can connect your smart devices directly to their network “Fly-Fi” and enjoy uninterrupted streaming and communications.  

ATMs:

You can access multiple automated teller machines in the pre-security and post-security sections of the airport terminal building and withdraw any cash amount with ease if required. 

Currency Exchange: 

To facilitate foreign travelers, the airport includes several money exchange spots in transit, and arrival and departure lounges of the terminal building. You can stop there and get your home currency exchanged without any hassle. 

Toilets:

Clean and hygienic restrooms are available for men and women in both departure and arrival areas of the passenger terminal.  

Smoking Rooms:

Although smoking is prohibited across the airport, there are separate smoking rooms inside the terminal building where you can smoke without any penalty fears. 

Airport Lounges:

Sharjah Airport includes 24/7 operational lounges in different categories where you can wait for your flights conveniently after paying an entry fee. Advanced bookings are also available. Each lounge comes with varying amenities, so you can choose the one that suits your needs best as follows: 

Al Difya Lounge: It features 4 private rooms, all equipped with entertainment options, free wifi and other luxurious facilities, including specially qualified staff members. 

The Lounge (VIP for first-class and business travelers): It’s the newly renovated lounge and includes special TV screens, refreshments and shower facilities in addition to all other premium offerings, suitable for those preferring lavish experiences. 

You can indulge in delicious hot and cold beverage selections and savour the delectable breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, served from 2 AM to 11:30 AM, 12 PM to 5 PM, and 5:30 PM to 1:30 AM, respectively. 

Passengers can also access these services with CIP lounge vouchers or coupons which are often provided by specific travel agents, airlines or at the airport reception.

Family: It can be the best option if you’re travelling with your family, as it includes distinct facilities to accommodate handicapped and elderly passengers. 

Food and Beverages Options:

There’s also a public food court in the passenger terminal building featuring several globally popular food chains. It stays open 24/7 and provides many great options for breakfasts, snacks, lunches and suppers, ensuring you never have to travel with an empty stomach. Some of the notable outlets present here include 

1. Subway
2. McDonald’s 
3. Dunkin Donuts
4. Costa Coffee
5. Fusion Bites
6. London Dairy

Click here to find a complete list of airport dining.  

Lost and Found Area:

The Sharjah International Airport features a designated lost and found section where all lost belongings are reported and stored.

You can inquire about non-tagged missing items in the departure area at the facilities department located on the departure hall’s first floor and contact Sharjah Aviation Services for lost luggage in the arrival areas. 

The airport police also assist with precious lost items like gadgets, jewellery and wallets. 

Passengers can report their missing items to the airport’s lost and found hotlines mentioned below. 

1. +971 6 508 1103
2. +971 6 508 1187
3. +971 6 508 1110
4. +971 6 508 1156

Information Desk:

There are many human-operated and smart information desks located in different sections of the terminal building where you can easily acquire all the required details about the airport facilities and routes. 

For those who don’t know, the smart desks are actually touchscreen monitors that allow visitors to talk to an airport representative virtually to resolve their queries. 

Baggage Claim Area:

It’s present on the arrivals hall’s first floor and includes 4 baggage carousels. Free carts are also provided to make luggage transfer more manageable for the passengers. 

Nursing Rooms and Healthcare:

Both arrival and departure halls feature baby care rooms where nursing mothers can drop their children safely while praying, eating or shopping. 

Moreover, a medical centre, health clinic, pharmacy and emergency first aid kits are also available to provide adequate healthcare to regular and specially-abled persons if required. 

Kids Play Area:

A kid’s play area is also available to keep the little ones engaged while they wait for their departures. 

Duty-Free Shops:

You can also get gifts for your loved ones at reasonable rates at the onsite duty-free shops and retail stores. Managed by Dufry, these outlets offer a range of premium perfumes, chocolates, technology and cosmetic articles, which you can buy with exemption from specific national taxes. 

Prayer Rooms:

Separate male and female prayer rooms can be found on the departure hall’s ground floor and the arrivals hall’s transit area at the airport. Opened 24 hours, these come equipped with ritual washing areas and are wheelchair accessible.  

Parking:

There are ample parking spaces at Sharjah International Airport, enabling travellers to park their vehicles securely both for short-term and long-term stays. These include premium departures and arrivals parking and the long-term car park lot. 

The rates are charged per hour and vary for short-term and long-term arrival and departure parking. You can pay them via cash, card or NFC at the onsite payment booths before exiting.

To know the complete breakdown of the charges, penalties and parking locations, visit here.

Transport Services:

Sharjah International Airport provides a range of convenient transport options for all incoming and outgoing passengers. These include 

Rental Cars:

Rental cars are offered by 9 different local and global companies at the airport. You can book your preferred vehicle to your desired destination at the car hire counter on the ground floor of the airport arrival area. The charges vary depending on the chosen agency, transport and destination. 

Note that for renting cars, you must have a valid local or international driving license and be 21 years old. 

See the full list of available rental vehicles, companies, and rates here.   

Buses/Coaches:

Public, air-conditioned Mowasalat buses and air arabica coaches are available at the airport’s ground transportation centre, carrying passengers to different emirate locations at low costs. 

Orange Mowasalat Buses serves 4 routes from the airport, with standard fares of 7 AED to 9 AED and departs every 15 minutes. 

Air Arabia coaches travel long distances and go to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and RAK regularly, with rates from 20 AED to 40 AED for various emirates. 

Find complete bus routes here.

Taxis:

Sharjah taxi services can be accessed 24 hours a day at the taxi bay outside the arrival zone of the airport. All taxis are metered, but you’ll have to pay an extra airport fee of 20 AED for all journeys. 

A taxi to the Sharjah city centre generally costs between 50 AED and 85 AED. However, fares may vary depending on traffic. 

You can compare fares and book your taxis in advance here. https://sharjahinternationalairport.com/sharjah-international-airport-transfers/taxi/

Rides Shares:

You can also book a trip with ride-share companies like Ola, Uber, Lyft and Didi. However, note that these are only allowed for pick up and drop off at the airport’s ground transportation centre.  

Hotel and Non-Hotel Airport Shuttles:

Several hotels and non-hotel shuttle services are also available to serve travellers. Keep in mind that they can only drop off and pick up the visitors at the terminal’s ground transportation centre. The fares may change as per the set transactions with various service providers. 

Airport Hotel:

If you’re having long layovers or delayed flights, you can also book a room at the onsite hotel at the Sharjah International Airport. It is located near the departure gate and includes Deluxe rooms (16), executive POD rooms (24) and separate male-female sharing rooms with all the standard facilities. 

You can book your desired room for a minimum of 12 or 24 hours and enjoy a comfortable stay with 24-hour room service, laundry service, and free internet. 

The prices range from 200 AED to 720 AED for different rooms. 

For bookings and more information, click here. 

FAQs

Is there a pet centre at Sharjah International Airport?

No, the airport doesn’t include any designated pet relief centre.  You can travel with pets, but you’ll have to obtain a permit for animal transport via the AVI cargo facility. 

What train services are available at Sharjah Airport?

There are no direct train services as Sharjah doesn’t possess any local train transits. The nearest available train station is the Dubai Etisalat metro stop, which is 20-30 minutes away from the Sharjah City Center. 

How can I contact the lost and found team at Sharjah Airport?

You can call them and report your lost belongings at the following hotlines.  

• +971 6 508 1103
• +971 6 508 1187
• +971 6 508 1110
• +971 6 508 1156

Is Sharjah airport travel-friendly for disabled persons?

Yes, the airport is wheelchair accessible and is designed to facilitate people with special needs with the inclusion of separate parking lots, healthcare services and medical staff for disabled individuals. 

What family facilities are available at Sharjah International Airport? 

There is a family lounge, designated kids’ play area, baby care rooms and even baby stroller services to make travelling as easy for families as possible. 

Can I find hotels near Sharjah Airport for accommodation?

Yes, the airport includes a hotel itself, and you can also find many premium ones near the airport, as follows:

• Sheraton Sharjah Beach Resort and Spa (13 km away)
• Golden Sands Hotel (15 km away)
• Novotel Sharjah Expo Center (15 km away)
• The Chedi Al Bait, Sharjah (14 km away)
• 72 Hotel Sharjah (22km away)
• Red Castle Hotel (16km away)
• Occidental Sharjah Grand (20 minutes away)
• DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel and Residences (13km away)

Where can I find flight information and departure and arrival times for Sharjah International Airport?

You can track and find all flight information and timetables online on the official website of Sharjah Airport here or on their App.

What’s the distance of Sharjah airport from other UAE airports? 

• Dubai International Airport (17 km)
• Al Ain Airport (119km)
• Abu Dhabi International Airport (131km)
• Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (75.8km)

That covers pretty much everything you need to know about the Sharjah International Airport for your future flights. Whether you’re on business trips or leisure tours, Sharjah Airport offers you convenient access across various UAE emirates with its extensive domestic and international routes and holistic facilities. Having read our guide, we hope you won’t face any challenges in your upcoming journeys. Happy travels!