Last updated November 12, 2026 · By Seth Semilof
The 2026 Formula 1 season ends on Yas Island. The Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs December 4–6, 2026, at Yas Marina Circuit, with the race on Sunday, December 6. Abu Dhabi has a dedicated business-aviation airport close to the track, plus a long-runway international airport farther east. This guide covers the official weekend timetable, when to use Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI / OMAD) or Zayed International (AUH / OMAA), and how far those airports are from major cities. It follows the same pattern as our guides to the 2026 Las Vegas Grand Prix and the Monaco Grand Prix.
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When is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2026?
Formula 1 lists the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX 2026 at Yas Marina Circuit on Yas Island. The official timetable is Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6, 2026. The Grand Prix itself is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, over 58 laps of the 5.281-kilometre circuit. Formula 1 notes that Abu Dhabi is four hours ahead of UTC and that the timetable is subject to change.
| Day | Date | Formula 1 sessions (local time) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | December 4, 2026 | Practice 1, 13:30–14:30; Practice 2, 17:00–18:00 |
| Saturday | December 5, 2026 | Practice 3, 14:30–15:30; Qualifying, 18:00–19:00 |
| Sunday | December 6, 2026 | Grand Prix, 17:00–19:00 (58 laps or 120 minutes) |
Source: Formula 1 official 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix timetable. Support-series sessions are also on the timetable and are omitted here. Times are local and can change.
Because qualifying is on Saturday evening and the race starts at 17:00 local on Sunday, many guests plan to arrive on Thursday, December 3 or Friday, December 4, and to depart on Monday, December 7, when the airports are usually quieter than on Sunday night.
Which airport should you use for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
For most private trips, the closest purpose-built option is Al Bateen Executive Airport. Zayed International is Abu Dhabi’s main long-runway airport and is a better fit when you need its longer runways, a scheduled connection, or a specific handling arrangement. For more on flying into the emirate, see our Abu Dhabi private jet charter guide.
| Item | Al Bateen Executive (AZI / OMAD) | Zayed International (AUH / OMAA) |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Abu Dhabi’s dedicated business-aviation airport, per Abu Dhabi Airports | The emirate’s main international airport (ICAO name: Abu Dhabi / Zayed International) |
| Distance from the city (UAE AIP) | 6.5 nm southeast of Abu Dhabi City | 16.5 nm east of Abu Dhabi |
| Field elevation (UAE AIP) | 18 ft | 83 ft |
| Runways (UAE AIP) | 13/31, 3,202 m × 45 m | 13R/31L, 4,106 m × 60 m; 13L/31R, 4,100 m × 60 m |
| Aerodrome code (UAE AIP) | Code 4D; larger aircraft need prior approval from OMAD Operations | Code 4F |
| Hours and slots | Abu Dhabi Airports and the airport’s aviation page describe 24/7 operations and no slot restrictions, with apron stands for more than 50 private jets | The UAE AIP lists OMAA as an IATA Level 2 slot-coordinated airport |
| Transfer to Yas Marina | Abu Dhabi Airports puts Al Bateen 15 minutes from the Yas Island Formula 1 track | Farther east of the city; allow a longer road transfer than from Al Bateen |
Sources: UAE AIP AD 2.OMAD and AD 2.OMAA (AIRAC 2026-P08); Abu Dhabi Airports, Al Bateen Executive Airport page; Al Bateen aviation specifications. Your operator confirms parking, handling and any race-week procedures before you fly.
Al Bateen or Zayed International?
- Al Bateen (AZI / OMAD) is the usual choice for business jets going to the race. It is closer to the city and, according to Abu Dhabi Airports, about 15 minutes from the Yas Island track, with a 3,202 m runway that covers typical light, midsize, super-midsize and many large business jets. Aircraft larger than the airport’s Code 4D limit need prior approval.
- Zayed International (AUH / OMAA) is the better fit when you want its two ~4,100 m runways, a connection with a scheduled flight, or an aircraft that exceeds Al Bateen’s approved size. It is farther from central Abu Dhabi, and the AIP lists it as slot-coordinated, so the operator and handler must plan the slot with the rest of the trip.
Race weekend is one of the busiest times of the year in Abu Dhabi. Even at an airport that does not use airline-style slots, parking stands and handling still fill up. We plan the aircraft, the airport and the ground transfer with the operator before we quote, so you know where you will land and how you will reach the circuit.
How far is Abu Dhabi by private jet?
| From | To Al Bateen (OMAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai International (DXB) | About 70 nm | A short hop; light or midsize jet |
| Zurich (ZRH) | About 2,573 nm | Long-range or ultra-long-range jet; the operator confirms the leg |
| Paris Le Bourget (LBG) | About 2,832 nm | Long-range jet |
| London Luton (LTN) | About 2,973 nm | Long-range jet |
| Teterboro (TEB) | About 5,951 nm | Ultra-long-range jet, or a one-stop trip; see our range guide |
Great-circle nautical miles from published airport coordinates (UAE AIP ARP positions for OMAD and OMAA; OurAirports for the other airports). Not flight-planned routes. Zayed International is about 11 nm east of Al Bateen, so the distances are nearly the same. The operator confirms range for your passengers, bags and winds.
From New York, Teterboro to Al Bateen is about 5,950 nm great-circle, which is an ultra-long-range mission. Many large-cabin jets will need a fuel stop; the operator confirms whether a given aircraft can fly it nonstop. For published ranges by class, see how far a private jet can fly and which private jets can fly across the Atlantic nonstop. From London or Paris, the trip is in long-range territory. From Dubai it is a short regional hop. If your travel also includes Dubai, see our Dubai private jet charter guide.
Planning tips for race weekend
- Arrive early: qualifying is Saturday evening and the race starts at 17:00 local on Sunday, so a Thursday or Friday arrival leaves margin for delays.
- Choose the airport with the operator: Al Bateen is closer to Yas Island; Zayed International has longer runways and is slot-coordinated.
- Book the transfer with the flight: Abu Dhabi Airports lists Al Bateen about 15 minutes from the track in normal conditions. Race-day traffic can be heavier.
- Hold a departure plan: Sunday night after the race is busy. A Monday morning departure is often easier on parking and handling.
- Two pilots and monitoring: every trip is flown by two FAA-certified ATP-rated pilots with 24/7 flight monitoring. We source aircraft positioned close to your departure to eliminate repositioning fees where possible.
Get a quote for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Tell us your departure city, dates and passenger count. Request a quote or call (800) 257-5661. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes. No jet cards, no membership fees.
FAQs
When is the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
Formula 1 lists the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit from Friday, December 4 to Sunday, December 6, 2026. The Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, at 17:00–19:00 local time, over 58 laps. The timetable is subject to change.
Which airport is closest to Yas Marina for a private jet?
Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI / OMAD). Abu Dhabi Airports describes it as the dedicated business-aviation airport in Abu Dhabi and puts it 15 minutes from the Yas Island Formula 1 track.
Can I land at Zayed International instead of Al Bateen?
Yes. Zayed International (AUH / OMAA) has two runways of about 4,100 m and is listed in the UAE AIP as an IATA Level 2 slot-coordinated airport. It is farther east of the city than Al Bateen, so the road transfer to Yas Island is longer.
How long is the runway at Al Bateen?
The UAE AIP lists runway 13/31 at 3,202 m × 45 m. The airport is certified to aerodrome reference code 4D; larger aircraft need prior approval from OMAD Operations.
Do I need a slot to land at Abu Dhabi?
Al Bateen’s operator pages describe 24/7 operations and no slot restrictions. Zayed International is slot-coordinated under the UAE AIP. In both cases your operator and ground handler arrange parking, handling and any required permissions.
Can I fly nonstop from New York to Abu Dhabi?
Teterboro to Al Bateen is about 5,951 nm great-circle, which is an ultra-long-range trip. Some ultra-long-range jets can do it nonstop in the right conditions; many large-cabin jets will need a fuel stop. The operator confirms the aircraft for your passengers, bags and winds.
How far is Abu Dhabi from London by private jet?
London Luton to Al Bateen is about 2,973 nm great-circle. That is typically a long-range jet mission. The operator confirms whether your aircraft can fly it nonstop.
How do I get a quote for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix?
Request a quote at https://www.hautejets.com/request-a-quote or call (800) 257-5661. Most quotes arrive within 60 minutes. No jet cards, no membership fees.
Sources
- Formula 1, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 race weekend (Yas Marina Circuit, December 4–6, 2026): formula1.com
- Formula 1, official 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix timetable (local session times, 58 laps, 5.281 km, UTC+4, subject to change): formula1.com
- UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, AIP AD 2.OMAD — Abu Dhabi / Al Bateen Executive Airport (AIRAC 2026-P08; location, elevation, runway 13/31 3,202 m × 45 m, Code 4D): gcaa.gov.ae
- UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, AIP AD 2.OMAA — Abu Dhabi / Zayed International (AIRAC 2026-P08; location, elevation, runways 4,106 m and 4,100 m, Code 4F, IATA Level 2 slot coordination): gcaa.gov.ae
- Abu Dhabi Airports, Al Bateen Executive Airport (dedicated business aviation, 24/7, 3,202 m runway, stands for more than 50 private jets, 15 minutes from the Yas Island Formula 1 track, 5 minutes from ADNEC): adairports.ae
- Al Bateen Executive Airport, aviation specifications (IATA AZI, ICAO OMAD, 24/7, no slot restrictions, apron up to 50 stands, Code D / B767 equivalent): albateenairport.ae
- OurAirports, airport coordinates used for great-circle distances: ourairports.com