SHJ is not the biggest airport and the traffic is limited compared to the big brother Dubai, who is just a few of kilometres away. But there are a couple of unique airlines, especially cargo operators, who serve the airport and with only one active runway, its almost impossible to miss the flights.

Sharjah is located just 10 miles eastwards of Dubai and is known for its wide variety of different cargo operators. But the times have changed within the past years and the traffic has shrunken. But there are still plenty of operators like Singapore Cargo, UPS, Moalem Aviation and less known airlines. Sadly most traffic takes place during the night, but during the day you will be able to catch one of the mentioned operators too.

On the other side, Air Arabia is the main passenger carrier at SHJ and is responsible for ~80 percent of the traffic. Some others companies like FlyEgypt, Jordan Aviation, PIA, Air India Express, Air India, AirBlue, Indigo, Tarco Aviation, SereneAir, Qatar Airways, Belavia, Uzbekistan, ChamWings, SyrianAir etc. are using the facilities too. On the airport website, you will find the passenger arrivals/departures.

Spotting in Sharjah is much more tolerated than in Dubai but keep a low profile anyway at any of the spots outside of the park. 

Written by Jan Seba, Jeremy Denton, Julian Mittnacht and Daniel Beliso. Last change: July 2023 (Spot 5 added)

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Airport Information
Runways
12/30	4.063 m (13.320 ft)
Terminals	One for all flights
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not needed.
Car/Public Transport	Recommended or by taxi as it’s cheaper.
Restrooms	Very close to all spots.
Drinks/Food	Very close to all spots.
Hotels	The Centro Sharjah Hotel is located next to the terminal and the only one.
Season	We suggest November until March. Its just too hot in the summer. More charter traffic at the weekend
Runway Usage
12/30	30 is the main direction for take offs and arrivals

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	Spot #1 – National Park – 30 Arrivals
WHERE	This is the main spot in Sharjah if the planes are arriving from the desert. Its pretty easy to find. Just follow the sings from Sharjah to the airport on the E88. Pass the airport and the Car Museum until you see the park on the right hand side. Exit the State Road and park your car next to the entrance. You have to pay a small entrance fee of 2 AED (0.5 USD) but you can enter and exit the park as often as you want at this day. After you have entered the park, you will see a big hill on the right side. Just climb up and you have reached the spot.
WHAT	As you stay on the top of the hill, its pretty easy to shot the aircraft over the trees. So you don´t have disturbing objects in front of you. At this place you can catch 30 arrivals only but this is the main direction for SHJ. 12 departures could be tricky as the aircraft can be too high.
TIME	Best light conditions in the winter are between 11 am and 6 pm.
MISC.	There is no sun protection on the top of the hill so be prepared! Restrooms are next to the entrance and a small snack bar (not open all the time) is just below the hill.
SECURITY	We had absolutely no problems with security or any other people during our visits. Still keep a low profile.
FOCAL LENGTH	250 mm for A320, 100 mm for a 747

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	Spot #2 – Gas Station – Cargo Ramp
WHERE	If you start at the airport follow the signs on the E88, heading to Sharjah downtown. After a couple of hundred meters you will see an entrance to a gas station. Ignore the gas pumps and head all the way to the fence next to the airport perimeter. Park your care there and climb up a smaller wall, so you can easily shot over the airport fence
WHAT	This is not really a long stay spot as you see only the cargo ramp. Its just possible to shot some cargo aircraft parked up there, thats all.
TIME	We recommend to visit this place in the late afternoon. Heat haze is a big problem there during the day!
MISC.	McDonalds and Restrooms are within the gas station.
SECURITY	You should not stay too long there as you are fully exposed, especially when you stay on the wall. Take the pictures and then drive away. But the workers usually don´t care about you.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-300 mm

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	Spot #3 – BOBA Tea – 30 Arrivals
WHERE	Follow the sings from Sharjah to the airport on the E88. Pass the airport and the Car Museum until you see the park on the right hand side. Exit the State Road and park your car next to the entrance and stay inside. This spot is an alternative when the park is closed.
WHAT	Only arrivals on rwy30 are possible. Stay on your car with the window open, read a book and listen to the music
TIME	Best light conditions in the winter are between 11 am and 6 pm.
MISC.	There is only the petrol station with some drinks and foods at spot 2. Otherwise nothing else.
SECURITY	We had absolutely no problems with security or any other people during our visits. Still keep a low profile.
FOCAL LENGTH	B733 = 230mm / A320/B738 = 210mm

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	Spot #4 – Sharjah Golf Club – 12 arrivals
WHERE	From Sharjah Airport on the highway E88 towards Sharjah city, exit at the sign “Souq Al Haraj for Cars”. At the roundabout take the first exit on the right and drive for a good 2/3 minutes on that road until you reach at the far end the roundabout  you’ll face the Golf Club. Make a right turn, take the curve and the drive carefully slow there’s a small path between the trees to access that below overview pictures.
WHAT	Only arrivals on rwy12 are possible.
TIME	Morning spot until 09:30 latest depending on the month.
MISC.	There’s a petrol station indicated on the map at the “Cars Souq”, refer to the map.
SECURITY	We had absolutely no problems with security or any other people during our visits. Still keep a low profile.
FOCAL LENGTH	A320 = 150mm / A321/B738 = 135mm / B773 = 80mm

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	Spot #5 – Agricultural Falah – 30 arrivals
WHERE	The area is called Agricultural Falah. Drive to Sharjah National Park (spot 3) but take S135 roundabout 2nd exit next to the park’s parking lot. Drive on that road until you reach the curve at the end and park on the other side next to the trees and light poles just before it. You can also park on the dust paths next to the place, it is up to you.
WHAT	30 arrivals only.
TIME	Summer from sunrise to 10:30. Winter from sunrise to 8:30.
MISC.	There’s a petrol station indicated on the map at the “Cars Souq”, refer to the map.
SECURITY	In the morning this area is very quiet. Barely any cars pass you and there are a few cleaners around but they shouldn’t bother you. Of course, still keep a low profile.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-150mm

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