SHJ Airport (Sharjah International Airport) – Cargo, Address, Transit

About This Airport

The code SHJ has been in timetables longer than any other in the Gulf: Sharjah opened in 1932 as an Imperial Airways staging post on the route to India, the region's first airport. Today Sharjah International (IATA: SHJ, ICAO: OMSJ) is a focused cargo specialist, handling 204,323 tonnes in 2025, up from 195,909 in 2024 and 141,358 in 2023, with a terminal expansion partially commissioned in late 2025 that doubles capacity to 250,000 tonnes a year. Passenger traffic reached a record 19.48 million in 2025, up 13.9 percent, which adds belly capacity alongside the freighter business. The airport is home base of low-cost carrier Air Arabia and a well-established freighter charter market, served by more than a dozen scheduled and charter cargo operators, with handling by Sharjah Aviation Services. The SAIF Zone free trade area with bonded warehousing and on-site customs sits directly on the airport perimeter. Sea-air is the fastest-growing segment, climbing from 12,566 tonnes in 2023 to 14,035 in 2024 and 16,770 in 2025, fed by Port Khalid and Hamriyah on the Gulf plus Khorfakkan on the Indian Ocean — the latter letting vessels skip the Strait of Hormuz entirely. As a lower-cost alternative to Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum (DWC), roughly 20 to 60 minutes away by road, SHJ has carved out a solid niche in charter, project and transhipment cargo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IATA code of Sharjah International Airport?▼

The IATA code of Sharjah International Airport is SHJ. This three-letter code is used for unique airport identification in international air transport.

Where is Sharjah International Airport located?▼

Sharjah International Airport is located in Sharjah, AE.

What is the ICAO code of Sharjah International Airport?▼

The ICAO code of Sharjah International Airport is OMSJ. This four-letter code is used internationally in aviation.

What is the elevation of Sharjah International Airport?▼

Sharjah International Airport is at an elevation of 34 meters (111 ft) above sea level.

Sharjah International AirportSHJ · OMSJ

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