Description

Sharjah International Airport is an international airport situated 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) east-southeast of Sharjah. It replaced RAF Sharjah, which was closer to the city and was established in 1932. Initially used by Imperial Airways, it served as the first airport in the UAE and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. The airport was also utilized by the RAF until 14 December 1971, when development pressures from the city of Sharjah necessitated its relocation. The original terminal and tower now house the Al Mahatta Museum, while the former runway forms part of King Abdul Aziz Street in the city center.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (1948–2022), the UAE's second president and ruler of Abu Dhabi from November 2004 to May 2022, was the eldest son of the UAE's first president, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. He took on a significant role in the late 1990s due to his father's health issues and officially became Abu Dhabi's leader in 2004. His tenure saw cultural and academic growth, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Etihad Airways. Under his leadership, the UAE became a major economic power. Known for his pro-Western stance, he strengthened ties with the US and Israel.