Abu Dhabi Airports owns and operates five airports in the emirate, and is a public joint-stock company, wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. Abu Dhabi International Airport Currently the second largest airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and one of the fastest growing airport hubs globally, Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) serves over 94 destinations in 56 countries. Airport facts Abu Dhabi International Airport: Anticipates over twenty million passengers using it as their origin, destination or transit point for international and domestic flights in the next few years Serves as base and hub to Etihad Airways, the fast-growing national flag carrier of the UAE Provides a handling capacity of five million passengers per year in Terminal 3 alone. This is this dedicated terminal of Etihad Airways Was awarded the Skytrax 4* rating in 2012, becoming the first and only airport in the Middle East to have achieved this Was named ‘the Best Airport in the Middle East’ by Airport Council International. Al Ain International Airport Operating since 1994, Al Ain International Airport is Abu Dhabi’s second international airport. Located 18km northwest of Al Ain City, the airport was originally built to serve 1,000 passengers per peak hour. Al Bateen Executive Airport Named the “Second Best Executive Airport in the World” by European Business Aviation News in 2013, Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi is the only exclusive business aviation airport in the Middle East and North Africa region. Delma Airport Lying 250 kilometres south west of the capital and once a centre of pearl diving, Delma Island covers an area of 45 square kilometres. Delma Airport plays a vital role in the development of the island, linking its local population of 6,000 to the UAE by providing residents with a convenient 45 minute flight connection to Abu Dhabi. Sir Bani Yas Airport Operating since 2008, Sir Bani Yas Airport caters mainly to tourists visiting the Natural Island. It is located 250km southwest of Abu Dhabi coast in the Western Region.