Sharjah International Airport

Sharjah International Airport (SHJ, OMSJ) is located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Sharjah Airport is the second largest Middle East Airfreight Hub in terms of cargo tonnage, according to official 2009 statistics from Airports Council International. Ground services company, Sharjah Aviation Services, handled 421,398 tonnes in 2009 – a massive 16.1% increase year on year.

Sharjah International Airport is home base of the low-cost carrier Air Arabia.

History

The current Sharjah Airport was built in the 1970s and was opened on 1 January 1977, replacing an airport closer to the city that had been opened in 1932 for use by Imperial Airways and which was subsequently used by the RAF until 14 December 1971. The reason for the move was development pressure from the city of Sharjah. The old airport’s runway is now part of King Abdul Aziz Street in the city centre. The airport was used by the United States Air Force 926th Tactical Fighter Group during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Approximately 450 members of the unit were stationed at the airport, which flew A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft during the conflict in late 1990 and early 1991.

More on www.shj-airport.gov.ae