Sharjah airport opens new VVIP private jet terminal

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Render: Quiet zone at Gama Aviation's new hub

The UAE has expanded its luxury business aviation offering with the opening of a new US$65 million Business Aviation Centre (BAC) at Sharjah International Airport, positioning the emirate as an emerging hub for private jets in the Middle East. Developed by Gama Aviation, the facility features a VVIP terminal with lounges and suites, a dedicated private jet hangar and a helipad.

The launch follows a 7% increase in business jet movements across the Middle East in 2025 compared with 2024, according to WingX, with Gama Aviation reporting a 50% year-on-year rise in aircraft movements and a 30% increase in passenger volumes at Sharjah.

Twelve years in development, the BAC is Gama Aviation’s largest investment to date, spanning 80,000 square metres and incorporating an aircraft parking apron and a fully air-conditioned three-bay hangar capable of accommodating up to 20 aircraft, including Airbus ACJs and Boeing BBJs.

Render: Business Aviation Centre at Sharjah International Airport

The 2,000-square-metre terminal has been designed with a high-end aesthetic to serve royalty and private clients, with facilities including exclusive lounges, relaxation suites, an observation bar and 24-hour fine dining, which Gama says is “comparable to that offered by five-star hotels.”

Crew facilities include rest suites, briefing rooms and priority parking adjacent to the terminal, while the aircraft apron offers dedicated fuelling and integrated MRO infrastructure to ensure faster turnaround times and reduced downtime.

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From the terminal entrance to the airside, the centre has been designed to provide clients with “speed, reliability and a frictionless experience,” according to Gama Aviation.

Developed in partnership with Sharjah Airport Authority, the facility aims to stimulate private aviation growth at the airport as business jet operations at Dubai International Airport (DXB) gradually shift to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) by 2035. The transition is expected to further position Sharjah International as a convenient gateway for business aviation serving Sharjah, the Northern Emirates and Dubai.

Entrance to Business Aviation Centre

Marwan Khalek, Group CEO of Gama Aviation, said the new centre has been “meticulously developed to position Sharjah as a leading destination for business aviation traffic.”

The launch comes on the back of a record year for Sharjah International Airport (SHJ), which welcomed 19.4 million passengers in 2025, up from 17.1 million in 2024 – an increase of nearly 14%.

Complementing this growth in private aviation, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) is also expanding its premium offering, with a new FBO facility set to open in 2027. Located a 15-minute drive from Al Marjan Island, the terminal will feature VVIP and royal lounges, a helipad and infrastructure to accommodate next-generation air mobility, including electric air taxis.

For more information, visit www.gamaaviation.com