The President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has directed that Al Ain International Airport be renamed Tahnoun International Airport, effective Sunday, October 11, 2026. The decision honours the decades of dedicated service given by the late Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan to the UAE.
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed, who passed away on May 1, 2024, at the age of 82, served as the Ruler's Representative in the Al Ain Region for more than five decades after his appointment in 1971. He was a close advisor to the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and held several senior positions during his career, including Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Chairman of ADNOC, and Vice Chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council. He also served as Chairman of Al Ain Municipality.
The renaming is the latest in a series of moves by UAE leadership to honour figures who shaped the country's development. Al Ain International Airport serves as a key air gateway for the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, linking the area with the rest of the UAE and the world.
Authorities have not yet detailed the full timeline for updating signage and official documentation to reflect the new name, though the directive took effect immediately on Sunday.