On the directives of UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Al Ain International Airport has been renamed Tahnoun International Airport. The decision honours the late Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region.

Under the directive, the airport’s new name officially takes effect today, Sunday, October 11, 2026. The move recognises Sheikh Tahnoun’s decades of service to the UAE and his role in the country’s development and progress.

Sheikh Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, who died in 2024, served as the Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Al Ain Region, chairman of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and deputy chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

In 2018, the Dubai–Al Ain Road was also renamed in his honour.

Sheikh Tahnoun was a close and trusted associate of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father. His sister, Sheikha Hessa, was Sheikh Zayed’s wife, and the two men frequently appeared together at official events.

Following Sheikh Tahnoun’s death in 2024, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) said he had enjoyed Sheikh Zayed’s complete trust and played a pivotal role in the establishment and formation of the UAE.

His tenure in the Al Ain Region was also known for his close and direct engagement with citizens and his attention to their concerns and needs.

The UAE President’s decision to name the airport after Sheikh Tahnoun has been described as a symbol of appreciation for the country’s founding generation and respect for the legacy and values of the UAE’s early leaders.