Private jet to Abu Dhabi

The capital of the United Arab Emirates is where the federal government, the sovereign wealth funds and most of the region's energy companies sit, so the typical passenger on a private flight here has a meeting to attend: at a ministry, at a fund on Al Maryah Island or at the ADNEC exhibition centre. Others come for the Formula 1 race on Yas Island, for the Louvre on Saadiyat or for a winter week on the beach. From central Europe Abu Dhabi is 4,200-5,000 km away, and a heavy jet flies it non-stop in five and a half to six and a half hours.

What sets the city apart is Al Bateen Executive (AZI), a former international airport on Abu Dhabi island that now serves business aviation only. There are no airline flights and no slot coordination, it is open round the clock, and the Corniche is under ten minutes by car from the aircraft. Zayed International (AUH), the commercial airport about 30 km east, takes the largest VIP airliners. As a broker, we compare aircraft from operators in Europe and the Gulf and choose the airport by the address of your first meeting.

Tell us the route, the dates, the number of passengers and where the first meeting or the hotel is. A consultant comes back with aircraft, airport and price.

Reasons to fly privately to the capital

Flight times to Al Bateen

From Europe the times in the tables below range from about three hours (Larnaca) to just over seven non-stop (Madrid). A selection, in a Challenger 650 unless stated, including taxi, climb and descent:

These are straight-line times. Operators from the EU follow EASA bulletins and route around the airspace over Iraq and Iran, usually across the eastern Mediterranean and Saudi Arabia, which makes the real flight longer; the westbound return also runs into the jet stream and takes 30-40 minutes more. With a full cabin and the longer track, a super midsize jet may need a short technical stop, and the operator decides this from the flight plan, not from the table.

Private jet prices to Abu Dhabi

Prices are for the whole aircraft, one way, to Al Bateen, plus landing permit, handling, airport charges and taxes, assuming an aircraft available near the departure airport. Flights to Zayed International cost about the same. The flight time refers to the first aircraft in each row.

From the main European hubs

Every aircraft in this table flies non-stop. The Challenger 650 starts at EUR 54,000 from Vienna and reaches EUR 66,000 from Madrid; a Global 7500, with the largest cabin and a separate bedroom in many layouts, costs EUR 90,000 from Milan and EUR 99,000 from London.

From other European cities

For smaller groups a super midsize jet costs less, but its range decides the route. From the western and northern edge of Europe it stops once for fuel, which the table shows:

From Oslo and Dublin the Challenger 350 needs a fuel stop and takes 8:28 h and 9:25 h, so the non-stop Legacy 650 or Global 6000 is the faster choice. From Lisbon even the Legacy 650 stops once, while the Global 6000 flies non-stop in 7:41 h.

Regional flights in the Gulf and beyond

Within the region a light or midsize jet is enough, and many programmes combine the capital with Doha, Oman or Riyadh, or with a week in the Maldives:

Sir Bani Yas is an island with a nature reserve and resorts west of the city; flying there saves a long drive and a boat crossing. To Malé and the Seychelles the Citation CJ3 would need a stop and is on request.

The bill on a Gulf sector is driven by flight time and by where the aircraft starts: a jet that has to position from its base, or fly home empty after dropping you, is paid for either way. Booking the outbound and the return together, or letting the aircraft take other work in the region while you stay, saves more than any other choice. Overflight fees for the countries on the route, crew hotels and, with some operators, war-risk insurance are added to the table price, and during the Grand Prix weekend and the winter season operators charge more. Passenger taxes depend on the departure country. France charges a per-passenger tax on jets that depends on distance, about EUR 420 within Europe and about EUR 1,015 on a Gulf sector, and Italy EUR 200 per passenger on sectors over 1,500 km; Austria charges EUR 12. Germany and the Netherlands levy their own departure taxes, and the UK charges APD at the higher rate for private jets of 20 t or more with fewer than 19 seats, while other jets pay the standard rate of their distance band. Charges in the UAE are listed in the quote.

Business jet price per flight hour

Heavy Jets from EUR 8,300 / hour

Light Jets from EUR 3,200 / hour

Ultra Long Range Jets from EUR 12,000 / hour

Super Midsize Jets from EUR 6,300 / hour

Very Light Jets from EUR 2,500 / hour

Long Range Jets from EUR 9,800 / hour

Midsize Jets from EUR 4,500 / hour

Turboprops from EUR 2,000 / hour

Three sample trips

Cost per passenger

The whole aircraft is chartered, so the price per head falls as seats are filled. Taxes per passenger are extra:

Calculator

For a quick estimate by e-mail, use the calculator; add a note if you prefer Zayed International to Al Bateen.

Al Bateen Executive and Zayed International

Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI, OMAD) was the first international airport of Abu Dhabi and now takes only private and business flights. It lies on Abu Dhabi island, about 10 km from the city centre, has one runway, 13/31, of 3,200 m and is open 24 hours for instrument and visual flights. Jetex runs a flagship terminal with a VIP lounge and concierge, and DhabiJet has its own terminal; both provide fuel, catering and crew support. Passport and customs checks are done on the spot, and an approved handling agent is compulsory. There is no slot coordination, which removes the step that shapes almost every other arrival in the Gulf.

Zayed International Airport (AUH, OMAA), formerly Abu Dhabi International, lies on the mainland about 30 km east of the centre and closer to Yas Island. It has two parallel runways of just over 4,100 m, works round the clock and serves Etihad's long-haul network; private flights use the Royal Jet FBO. We choose it for a stay on Yas, for a connection with a scheduled long-haul flight, or for airliner-based VIP aircraft such as a Boeing Business Jet, where the operator checks pavement and parking limits at Al Bateen.

Both airports require the UAE landing permit, which the operator requests with the passenger list several days ahead, and both are airports of entry.

Alternates and nearby airports

Straight-line distances from Al Bateen:

Choosing the aircraft

Al Bateen takes every business jet; airliner-based VIP aircraft normally go to Zayed International. Bed configurations differ from one aircraft to the next, so we confirm what each aircraft has before quoting. See heavy jets and ultra long range jets in the catalogue.

If you are weighing a super midsize jet with a fuel stop against a heavy jet, leave your number and a consultant explains the difference for your dates.

Season and events in the capital

The working week runs from Monday to Friday, with a short Friday because of midday prayers; government meetings are easiest from Monday to Thursday.

Getting from the aircraft to the city

Empty Legs to and from Abu Dhabi

Empty sectors on the Gulf routes are fewer than in Europe but worth far more, since a single sector covers five or six hours of flying. Where they appear:

The operator fixes the date and time, so flexible travellers benefit most. The landing permit and passenger list apply as on any charter. Send the direction and a range of dates to empty-legs@jets.flights.

Travelling with a dog or cat

In a private jet the animal stays in the cabin with you, provided the operator has agreed in advance and knows the species, breed and weight. The UAE has its own entry rules on top of the EU pet passport:

Entry rules and documents

The Emirates are outside the EU and Schengen, so every arrival and departure includes border control:

• Passport valid at least six months after arrival for every passenger, children included; an ID card is not enough.
• Citizens of EU countries receive a free entry stamp on arrival, usually for up to 90 days within 180 days; UK citizens also need no visa in advance.
• The operator obtains the UAE landing permit and the overflight permits for the countries on the route, using the passport data of everyone on board.
• The flight leaves the Schengen area, so there is passport control on departure from Europe.
• Prescription medicines, especially those with psychotropic substances, are strictly regulated: carry a doctor's letter in English and only the amount needed.
• Passenger taxes of the departure country apply as listed above; UAE airport charges appear in the quote.

Checklist for the trip

• Passports with six months' validity for all passengers.
• Passport scans for the landing permit as soon as the offer is accepted.
• Address of the first meeting or hotel, which decides between Al Bateen and Zayed International.
• For the Grand Prix: aircraft parking reserved with the flight.
• A doctor's letter in English for any prescription medicines.
• Pet permit, microchip, vaccination record and health certificate.
• Return date, or whether the aircraft flies home and comes back for you.

How to book a private jet to Abu Dhabi

1. Send the departure airport, dates, number of passengers and the first address in the city.
2. We choose between Al Bateen and Zayed International and check whether a super midsize jet reaches Abu Dhabi non-stop with your load or a heavy jet is needed.
3. You receive several offers with operator, aircraft, cabin photos, flight time and price, with parking, crew hotel and permits listed separately.
4. After you sign and pay, the operator files the landing permit with the passenger list and the handler books the car to the aircraft.
5. On the day, arrive 20-30 minutes before departure; at Al Bateen passport control takes minutes and the car waits on the apron.

Our team

Charlotte McKinney

Commercial Director

charlotte.m@jets.flights

Henry Richter

Head of Aviation Department and Data Protection Officer

henry.r@jets.flights

Emma Miller

Director of Development

emma.m@jets.flights

Liam Bishop

Senior Aviation Consultant

liam.b@jets.flights

Oliver Davis

Aviation Consultant

oliver.d@jets.flights

Anna Laurent

Aviation Consultant

anna.l@jets.flights

Private flights to Abu Dhabi: questions and answers

• • How much does a private jet to Abu Dhabi cost?

  • From the European hubs a heavy Challenger 650 costs from EUR 54,000 (Vienna) to EUR 66,000 (Madrid) one way for the whole aircraft. From Istanbul a Challenger 350 costs EUR 34,000, and a Citation CJ3 from Doha EUR 8,000.

• • Where do private jets land in Abu Dhabi?

  • Mostly at Al Bateen Executive, about 10 km from the centre, which serves business aviation only. Zayed International is used for Yas Island, airliner-based VIP aircraft and connections with scheduled flights.

• • Are there slot restrictions?

  • Not at Al Bateen: it is open 24 hours without slot coordination, so the arrival time follows your programme.

• • How long is the flight from London?

  • About 7:00 h non-stop from Farnborough in a Challenger 650. The routing around closed airspace and winter headwinds can add time.

• • Do we need a visa?

  • Citizens of the EU and the UK need no visa in advance. Every passenger needs a passport valid for at least six months.

• • How early should we book for the Grand Prix?

  • Several months ahead, together with aircraft parking and the hotel. It is the busiest weekend of the year at both airports.

• • Can we return the same day?

  • Possible only with a second crew, because two sectors of five to seven hours exceed one crew's duty time. Usually the crew rests overnight and flies back the next morning.

• • How much luggage fits?

  • A heavy jet takes the luggage of a full cabin for a week's stay; golf bags and sports equipment go in the hold. Tell us the number of bags so the operator can plan the weight for the non-stop sector.

• • Can we bring our dog?

  • It can fly beside you once the UAE import permit is issued and the microchip, rabies vaccination and health certificate are in order. Several breeds are banned, and the return to the EU needs no blood test.

• • Are Empty Legs available?

  • Yes, mainly towards Europe from May to September, back to the Gulf in autumn and between Gulf capitals all year. Write to empty-legs@jets.flights with your dates.

• • Can we combine the capital with Dubai?

  • Yes. Land at Al Bateen and leave from Al Maktoum in Dubai, or the reverse; the drive between them takes about 1:15 h.