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With abnormal weather conditions continuing to affect the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and the UAE Armed Forces - organisers of this weekend’s Al Ain Aerobatic Show - have postponed the show’s opening until Friday 4th February. This decision has been taken to ensure the well-being of participants and visitors.
And to meet increasing spectator demand to see the more than 15 aerobatic and display teams from three continents taking part, as well as the wide range of on-the-ground family activities, organisers have extended the show’s timings for Friday and Saturday, giving fans more bang for their buck on the event’s final two days.
The show will now run from 10am to 6.30pm, with gates opening to the show’s interactive entertainment zones from 9am on both days. Tickets for Wednesday and Thursday are valid for the weekend.
“To ensure the safety of everyone attending, we have decided to postpone the opening of the 2011 Al Ain Aerobatic Show until the weekend,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, ADTA. “We understand how excited people are about the show, so we have taken the decision to extend it by two and a half hours each day. That way, visitors can get even more for their money at what is one of the world’s top aerobatic shows.”
More than 25 aircraft will take to the skies in the daily flying display, including some of the planet’s best formation teams. Taking centre-stage, and arranged by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the international governing body for air sports, is the unique, multi-discipline FAI Desert Challenge. This breathtaking aerial tête-à-tête will see six of the world’s best pilots flying in classic and free-style competition formats.
Spectators will be treated to a wealth of gravity-defying stunts featuring wing-walkers, subsonic jets and choreographed ‘dancers in the sky’. Also jetting in for the show, will be the fighters from the UAE Air Force, aerobatic squadrons from the Turkish Air Force and Royal Saudi Air Force, the Baltic Bees from Latvia, Team Viper’s Hawker Hunter supersonic fighter jets, and many of the world’s best solo pilots including Abu Dhabi global ambassador Hannes Arch.
On the ground, an Educational Zone will feature meet-the-pilots sessions, walk-through flight experiences and interactive displays, while tethered hot air balloon rides, go-karting and bungee trampolines are available in the Entertainment Zone.
The Family Zone offers play areas, face painting and bouncy castles, while the Food and Beverage Zone includes fast food outlets, coffee shops and ice cream stations. Official merchandise will be on sale in the Retail Zone.
Headline attractions include a static display of state-of-the-art military aircraft and helicopters, model aircraft displays and roaming entertainers such as the ever-popular magazine character Majid, a favourite of children across the Middle East, and the Friendly Pilot Bear making a debut appearance as the show’s family-friendly symbol.
The Al Ain Aerobatic Show, held under the patronage of HH General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, is taking place at the Al Ain International Airport.
A large grandstand offers superb views of the display and daily show tickets are just Dh40 per adult and Dh20 for children between three and 10 years old, while children under three enter free. Ticket details can be found on the event’s website at www.alainaerobaticshow.com.
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