Major highways and bridges
Sewerage projects
Abu Dhabi
TAQA Water Solutions is the entity responsible for collecting and treating wastewater, as well as producing recycled water, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It manages the entire wastewater system across the emirate, processing more than 1.3 million cubic metres of water every day through a network of around 13,000 km. The company was established in 2005 as the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Company (ADSSC) and was rebranded as TAQA Water Solutions in 2024.
Dubai
Dubai Municipality’s sewerage and rainwater drainage network in Nad Al Sheba 3 serves an area of 340 hectares and encompasses up to 300 plots of land. The network spans approximately 24 kilometres, with pipeline diameters ranging from 200 to 800 millimetres.
In terms of rainwater drainage, the Municipality has installed an advanced pumping station with a capacity of 4,000 litres per second, improving rainwater management and ensuring efficient water flow towards the main network. This is complemented by a 31-kilometre gravity-based drainage pipeline network, with diameters ranging from 250 to 1,500 millimetres, which will maintain system readiness during periods of heavy rainfall and mitigate potential flooding risks.
The emirate is also developing a stormwater drainage system in 4 other areas at a cost of AED1.439 billion as part of the Tasreef project.
Read about:
Useful links
- Waste and Sewerage Agency – Dubai Municipality
- Sewerage services - Sharjah Municipality
- Ajman Sewerage
- Request for Sewage water - Fujairah Municipality
- Tanker Operation Technical Guideline - Public Services Department Ras Al Khaimah
Public buildings
The UAE Cabinet allocated AED 2.581 billion (3.6 per cent of the total budget) to the infrastructure and economic affairs sector.
The UAE Government Annual Meetings held in November 2025 revealed that national road development programmes valued at more than AED 170 billion were planned up to 2030.
Some of the important infrastructure projects announced in 2025 are:
- a high-speed rail project linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai, reducing travel time between the 2 cities to around 30 minutes at speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour
- public-private partnership contracts worth AED 22 billion in Abu Dhabi
- the development of Al Fay Street at a cost of AED 1.5 billion in Dubai
- the construction of entry and exit points for Dubai Islands from the Bur Dubai side via a new 1,425-metre bridge costing AED786 million
- the operation of 4 main transmission stations with a capacity of 132 kilovolts and the extension of 228 kilometres of underground cables at a cost of AED7.6 billion in Dubai and
- the construction of 30-kilometre Dubai Metro Blue Line, which will include 14 new stations serving around 1 million people.
In Sharjah, the Al Layyah Canal project was inaugurated in Al Khalidiya suburb, featuring a range of service facilities and new public spaces. The emirate also inaugurated an electricity station in the Umm Fannin area with a capacity of 220 kilovolts at a cost exceeding AED 500 million. It completed the extension of the main water pipeline from Kalba to Wadi Al Helo at a value of AED 43.77 million, and launched the Independence Square project. Sharjah also approved AED 42 million for the implementation of internal roads in Al Ramaqia and Al Suwaihat areas.
In Ajman, the Department of Municipality and Planning inaugurated the Sheikh Zayed Street development project in the Al Helio area, extending 2.8 kilometres at a cost of AED 63 million. The Emirates Council for Balanced Development also announced the start of work on the Masfout Gate project, which aims to develop vital facilities in the area and link natural and heritage landmarks through connected walking trails.
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport announced the development of a dedicated VIP terminal, and private aircraft hangars. The project includes facilities spanning more than 18,000 square metres, providing advanced infrastructure to support private aviation and tourism services.
In Umm Al Qaiwain, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure launched a project to upgrade and enhance Emirates Road at a cost of AED 750 million. The project includes expanding the road to 5 lanes in each direction and constructing 6 new bridges, contributing to improved traffic flow and a reduction in journey time of up to 45 percent.
In Fujairah, the Public Works and Agriculture Department began implementing the 9th phase of the internal roads project, extending 31 kilometres across several areas of the emirate. Fujairah also saw the Fujairah F3 independent power plant enter commercial operation with a capacity of 2.4 gigawatts.
Source: UAE infrastructure projects drive growth, quality of life - WAM
Civil airports
The UAE's civil airports are:
Zayed International Airport (IATA code: AUH)
Zayed International Airport is located in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi. It is the UAE’s second largest airport and is connected to over 120 passenger destinations. The new terminal at Zayed International Airport will be the first in the world to include all nine biometric touchpoints.
Al Ain International Airport (IATA code: AAN)
Al Ain International Airport is located in the city of Al Ain in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is located 18 km northwest of Al Ain. It is operating since 1994. It has a 4,000-metre runway and a parallel 4,000-metre taxiway that can double as a runway as needed.
Al Bateen Executive Airport
Al Bateen Executive Airport is situated on the Abu Dhabi island. It is the only exclusive business aviation airport in the MENA region, as well as the region’s first to receive three ISO and OHSAS certifications. The airport offers 24/7 services with no slot restrictions.
Delma Airport
Delma Airport is located on the Delma island in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It essentially serves the residents of this 45 sq km island by connecting them to the city of Abu Dhabi.
Sir Bani Yas Airport
Operating since 2008, Sir Bani Yas Airport caters mainly to the tourists visiting the island. It is located 250 km southwest of Abu Dhabi coast in the western region of Al Dhafrah.
Dubai International Airport (IATA code: DXB)
Dubai International Airport opened in 1960. Since then, the airport has recorded an average annual growth rate of over 13 per cent. In 2024, the airport welcomed 92.3 million guests and handled 1.9 million tonnes of cargo, cementing its position as the world's busiest and one of the most connected international airports.
Terminal 3 is dedicated for use by Emirates Airline. It includes Concourse A, the world’s first and largest purpose-built facility for A380.
Al Maktoum Airport (IATA code: DWC)
Al Maktoum Airport, also know as Dubai World Central (DWC)is located at the south of Dubai city. It is being designed to become the world's biggest airport with a capacity to handle more than 160 million passengers per year. It will also serve as a multi-modal logistics hub for 12 million tonnes of freight.
Sharjah International Airport (IATA code: SHJ)
Sharjah International Airport is home to Air Arabia. It is located 13 km southeast of Sharjah. Find the facilities and services at the airport.
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (IATA code: RKT)
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport was established in 1976. It operates passenger and cargo services to a variety of destinations covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and the sub-continent. Located about 18 kms from the city, the airport has a 3,760 metre long runway.
Fujairah International Airport (IATA code: FJR)
Fujairah International Airport is the UAE's only airport on the east coast. It became operational on 29 October 1987.
For information about specific facilities, refer to the websites of the airports or contact the airports concerned.
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Seaports
The UAE's seaports are international and regional hubs and an essential factor in driving economic growth and facilitating economic diversification.
The country's sea transportation sector is developing steadily in terms of ports, operating ships, maintaining and constructing dry docks in accordance with the international standards on maritime safety and protection of the marine environment.
The UAE has several seaports. According to the World Shipping Council, Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi ports were amongst the world's 50 biggest container ports as of 2024.
Major seaports in the UAE include:
- Zayed Port - This port in Abu Dhabi city functions as a commercial port and is amongst the region’s premier hubs for cruise liners.
- Mina Rashid, Dubai - Rashid Port is one of the leading cruise tourist destinations in the Middle East and has been named the region’s top destination for eight consecutive years according to the World Travel Awards polls. The port can accommodate up to seven large cruise ships or 25,000 passengers at the same time and is home to the Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, the world’s largest covered cruise terminal.
- Jebel Ali Port, Dubai - It has a container freight station, cool and cold storage facility and general cargo facility.
- Port Khalid, Sharjah - It has dedicated berths for container terminals, general cargo operations, car carriers (Ro-Ro), tanker vessels (quayside), and vessel repair and husbandry services.
- Mina Saqr, Ras Al Khaimah - It is one of the major hubs in the regional industrial supply chain, supplying construction materials for the majority of real estate projects in UAE, GCC and beyond. Its deep-water port has a cargo handling capacity of over 100 million tonnes annually.
- Fujairah Port - It is the only multi-purpose port on the eastern coast of the UAE. It is a premier hub and a trade location for liquid bulk cargo products. It provides container, general and project cargo, Ro-Ro, cruise ship, rail handling and livestock services.
- Khalifa port - It is a multi-purpose port, with deep-water access, handles general cargo and containers, RoRo, dry bulk, liquid and gas. It also offers on-site warehousing and storage services.
Read about the UAE's significant maritime initiatives.
Updated on:
15 Jan 2026
