Special Assistance
“Hayyakum” to Zayed International Airport
Welcome to Zayed International Airport (AUH), the gateway to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. We extend a warm Emirati welcome, especially to our travellers of determination. Our goal at AUH is to make your journey as seamless and accessible as possible. Working closely with our airline partners, including Etihad Airport Services, and guided by the Abu Dhabi Comprehensive Strategy for People of Determination.
At AUH, we understand that everyone's travel needs are unique, that's why we offer a range of services designed to make your experience comfortable and stress-free. Our new sensory room provides a calming space for those who benefit from a quiet and sensory-friendly environment. We also recognise hidden disabilities and support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme, providing discreet assistance to those who need it. Travelling with a furry friend? Our dedicated pet relief area ensures their comfort too.
Driven by our core values - Committed, Collaborative, Exceptional – we strive to exceed expectations and be a global leader in accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. Our staff receive specialised training to understand and assist with special needs. They embody Emirati values of knowledge, tolerance, adaptability, and integrity, ready to help you every step of the way.
Our commitment to accessibility is reflected in our Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI), benchmarking us against the highest international standards. We are proud to partner with organisations like the Abu Dhabi Department for Community Development, the Department for Culture and Tourism, and the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination to continually enhance our services.
At Zayed International Airport, we are not just building a world-class airport; we're building a welcoming and inclusive space for all.
Safe travels!
At AUH, we understand that everyone's travel needs are unique, that's why we offer a range of services designed to make your experience comfortable and stress-free. Our new sensory room provides a calming space for those who benefit from a quiet and sensory-friendly environment. We also recognise hidden disabilities and support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programme, providing discreet assistance to those who need it. Travelling with a furry friend? Our dedicated pet relief area ensures their comfort too.
Driven by our core values - Committed, Collaborative, Exceptional – we strive to exceed expectations and be a global leader in accessibility, diversity, and inclusion. Our staff receive specialised training to understand and assist with special needs. They embody Emirati values of knowledge, tolerance, adaptability, and integrity, ready to help you every step of the way.
Our commitment to accessibility is reflected in our Accessibility Enhancement Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI), benchmarking us against the highest international standards. We are proud to partner with organisations like the Abu Dhabi Department for Community Development, the Department for Culture and Tourism, and the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination to continually enhance our services.
At Zayed International Airport, we are not just building a world-class airport; we're building a welcoming and inclusive space for all.
Safe travels!
How can we assist you today?
Booking Assistance
Find out how to book assistance with your airline, and what help is available to you during your journey through our airport.
Read more
Hidden Disability Assistance
Not all disabilities are visible, we are committed to making a supportive and welcoming environment for everybody.
Read more
Service Animals
Service animals and pets are welcome at our airport, find out more about our dedicated animal relief area and requirements for travel.
Read more
Accessible Transport & Parking
Discover more about our accessible parking options and dedicated spaces.
Read more
Useful Links and Resources
Help and advice on organisations that support People of Determination
Read moreFrequently asked questions
Most airlines will open their check-in and bag drop desks 3 hours before a flight, we recommend you arrive as close to this time as possible, arriving late to check-in and bag drop can cause issue with being able to assist you to your aircraft in time for your flight.
Our Special Assistance team will be able to assist you through the airport should you require, we are aware that our blind and visually impaired guests may need varying levels of assistance, therefore please just let us know when you arrive how best we can help you. Braille is available in various areas through the terminal including lifts and toilets. Guide dogs are welcome, please see the Service Animal section of our website for more information.
Our Special Assistance team will be able to assist you through the airport should you require, we are aware that our deaf and hearing-impaired guests may need varying levels of assistance, therefore please just let us know when you arrive how best we can help you. Hearing loops are available at our Special Assistance desks in the Pre-Check-in area and mobile hearing loops are available for our teams to use when required
We are proud to support the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, and a Sunflower lanyard can be requested at our Special Assistance desks. Our Special Assistance team will be able to assist you through the airport should you require. Zayed International Airport has a Sensory Space facility available, please book in advance to avoid disappointment. Please see the Hidden Disabilities section of our website for more information.
Yes, you can bring a majority of prescribed medicine and medical equipment, you may need to bring a prescription or Doctors note with you for travel, please check with your airline regarding carriage rules.
This may be possible, however please check with your airline and medical practitioner as the cast may need to be split before travel to allow for swelling, or an alternative placed on. You may also be requested to provide a fitness to fly certificate by your airline.
You may be required to provide a fitness to fly certificate issued by a medical practitioner or Doctor by your airline should they be concerned for your welfare or that of others, it is also advisable to check with any travel insurance that you may have. Travel may be refused on medical grounds should concerns not be able to be fully addressed before the flight.
If you have had a contagious illness such as Chicken Pox or Covid 19 please check with your medical practitioner or Doctor that you are safe and fit to fly before attending the airport.
Please contact your airline and medical practitioner or Doctor should you have any concerns or wish to obtain further information.
If you have had a contagious illness such as Chicken Pox or Covid 19 please check with your medical practitioner or Doctor that you are safe and fit to fly before attending the airport.
Please contact your airline and medical practitioner or Doctor should you have any concerns or wish to obtain further information.
Special assistance is available 24/7 throughout the year.
Our Special Assistance teams cannot always guarantee, but will make best endeavors, to ensure you and your travelling companions/family are kept together during your journey through the airport
Most airlines will not charge for the service.
Some airlines may levy a small fee for provision of the service, you may have to pay this at the airport, please note this an airline fee and is not a fee that is implemented by the airport.
Some airlines may levy a small fee for provision of the service, you may have to pay this at the airport, please note this an airline fee and is not a fee that is implemented by the airport.
Yes, our Special Assistance teams will be able to assist you in any shops, restaurants and facilities you wish to use within the airport, however, please ensure you allow enough time to attend your gate on time for your flight. All shops, restaurants and facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Our Special Assistance teams can take you to the toilet door but will not be able to come into the toilet with you to assist, should you require assistance of this nature please ensure you travel with a companion that is able to do this for you.
Yes, you can bring your own wheelchair and stay in it to the point of boarding the aircraft, if you are arriving then your wheelchair will be brought to you for disembarking. Personal Wheelchairs, Electric Mobility Aids (EMA’s), Walking frames and other mobility equipment can be booked via your airline.
Most aircraft at Zayed International Airport will be positioned on an airbridge, meaning you can be pushed to and from the aircraft door. Should your aircraft be parked on a remote gate where an airbridge is not available, you will be assisted to the aircraft by a bus, if you are not able to walk up or down the aircraft steps a medical lift vehicle (Ambulift) will be positioned on to the aircraft to assist you in boarding or de-boarding.
If you are not able to walk to your aircraft seat our Special Assistance Team will provide an aisle chair to assist you to it, this is a small specialist chair with straps that is designed to fit down the aisle of an aircraft, the team can also assist you in and out of your seat if required.
