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Abu Dhabi · Free zone

Abu Dhabi Airports Free Zone

Operator: Abu Dhabi Airports

The free zone of Abu Dhabi Airports, wholly owned by ADQ. Its main hub at Zayed International Airport has offices, warehouses and cargo facilities, and it also runs locations at Al Bateen Executive Airport and Al Ain International Airport.

See it on the map
Emirate
Abu Dhabi
Setup
Free zone
Uses
Logistics, Warehousing, E-commerce, Distribution

Best for

  • Air freight and time-sensitive distribution
  • Pharma and high-value goods moving by air
  • Aviation and MRO businesses

Consider elsewhere if

  • Your freight moves mainly by sea: KEZAD next to Khalifa Port
  • You need heavy industry or a large plot: KEZAD Al Taweelah or ICAD
  • You must sell directly to UAE customers without a second licence: a mainland area such as Mussafah

Free zone licensing

A free zone licence gives 100% foreign ownership, 0% import and re-export duties and no limits on capital repatriation. Selling directly into the UAE market typically needs a mainland licence or a local distributor. ADAFZ says it also offers non-free zone frameworks, dual licensing and VAT exemptions in certain districts.

Tenure. ADAFZ says it offers full beneficiary rights on free zone land. Ask for the lease form and term for any specific plot.

Who locates here

  • Logistics, freight and warehousing
  • E-commerce
  • Aviation, aerospace and MRO
  • Pharma and biotechnology
  • Trading companies

Property

The Zayed International Airport hub has offices, warehouses and cargo facilities. Al Bateen has aircraft hangars, and Al Ain International offers industrial land and industrial space.

Formats. Warehouse units, Commercial offices, Business centres, Land plots for development, Aircraft hangars

Our view for tenants

ADAFZ suits businesses whose goods move by air and who want to work inside the airport ecosystem. As a free zone company you will need a mainland route to sell to UAE customers. ADAFZ publishes little detail on warehouse specifications, so ask for them early.

Our view for investors

ADAFZ is owned by ADQ and run by Abu Dhabi Airports, which controls land and supply in the zone. Public data on third-party ownership, lease terms and rents is thin. Diligence starts with the free zone’s own land and lease terms.

Other locations in Abu Dhabi

All of Abu Dhabi

Sources

Reviewed 7 Oct 2026.

Drive times: Valhalla routing on OpenStreetMap data (valhalla1.openstreetmap.de), car, free-flowing traffic, computed 7 Oct 2026.

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