✈️ Business jet movements in Abu Dhabi halved, with Royal Jet accounting for nearly half
Avi-Go data shows that from January 1 to July 21, 2026, business jet movements at Abu Dhabi Zayed Airport (OMAA) totaled 601, down 50.1% from 1,204 in the same period of 2025; over the same period, Dubai Al Maktoum Airport (OMDW) recorded 5,586 movements, down 40.7% year-on-year. OMAA operators were highly concentrated, with the local royal charter carrier Royal Jet ranking first at 287 movements, accounting for roughly half of the airport's total, followed by VistaJet at 52 movements. By contrast, OMDW was led by VistaJet at 707 movements, followed closely by Falcon Luxe, Avcon Jet AG, and others, reflecting a more dispersed operator landscape.
Impact: Business jet traffic at Abu Dhabi Zayed Airport is heavily dependent on a single operator. Should Royal Jet's flight scheduling contract, the airport's total movements would face further pressure; while Dubai Al Maktoum declined over the same period as well, its broader customer base gives it stronger resilience.
Recommendation: FBOs and ground handlers serving Abu Dhabi should proactively expand partnerships with operators beyond Royal Jet within Q3 2026 to reduce dependence on a single customer; brokers can use this window to assess the feasibility of diverting a portion of Abu Dhabi demand to Dubai Al Maktoum.