A MILLION REASONS TO VISIT AL AIN AEROBATIC SHOW

Sponsors at this weekend’s Al Ain Aerobatic Show, have gone full throttle with their on-ground entertainment with amazing prizes, activities and mega family entertainment all up for grabs.

And with organisers expanding the show’s timings to ensure two and a half hours of extra daily action, with gates opening at 9am on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th, visitors to this year’s event, running at Al Ain International Airport, have even longer to enjoy the marvellous attractions.

For those wanting to take their own flights, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) – to mark its first year as gold sponsor - is giving away a total of one million Etihad Guest Miles to six winners. Five will win 100,000 Etihad Guest Miles, the equivalent of a business class return trip from Abu Dhabi to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and one lucky winner will go home with 500,000 miles.

To keep visitors’ minds on the skies, ADIB is also hosting a paper airplane workshop, complete with a ‘runway test’ to see how well each plane can actually fly, in addition to other activities for children and families.

Long-term supporter and gold sponsor, Al Ain Water is keeping spectators hydrated by providing free bottles of water, as well as entertaining the show’s younger guests with a host of stilt-walkers, face painters and magicians.

One of the world’s largest telecommunications companies, Etisalat has returned as gold sponsor, continuing its support of tourism-related initiatives in the UAE. The company is joined by fellow gold sponsor, Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH), one of the UAE’s leading hospitality groups and provider of the excellent on-site catering.

“The Al Ain Aerobatic Show is recognised as one of the world’s leading aerobatic shows, yet without the commitment and support of our partners, it would not be possible. This year’s show is set to be the biggest and best yet, both in the sky and on the ground, and all of our sponsors have played a major role in making this happen,” said Faisal Al Sheikh, Events Manager, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), which organises the show in conjunction with the UAE Armed Forces.

Mubadala Aerospace is engaging young visitors and their families by showcasing highlights from the history of flight and offering a range of related activities, including kite-making and bubble workshops.

In its second year as a silver sponsor, the company is also running a special photographic competition for visitors under the age of 19 over two categories: In the Air – Planes in Action and On the Ground – Having Fun. Entrants will be judged in three separate age groups, with state-of-the-art cameras up for grabs.

Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), a silver sponsor and master developer of tourism, cultural and residential destinations in Abu Dhabi, is hosting its own chalet for guests to grab a sneak-peak of two spectacular 5-star resorts soon to open on Saadiyat Island, as well as to find out more about the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Liwa and the Desert Islands Resort and Spa on Sir Bani Yas Island.

Silver sponsor, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, the world’s market leader in the manufacture and sale of single-engine turboprop aircraft, is also back, as is Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technologies (ADAT), a primary provider of aviation technical services for commercial aviation industries, and a long-term show supporter.

Official show supplier, flagship company of the Al Fahim Group and authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer, Emirates Motor Company has brought in professional drivers to perform dynamic displays on the ground featuring Mercedes-Benz’s stunning SLS 63 AMG. The company is also offering visitors the chance to win a 2011 S and E class model for the weekend.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), which manages the show’s venue in Al Ain, is Host Sponsor. The event is carried out in partnership with Al Ain Municipality and Al Ain Police, who will be present on-site.

“Our partners have raised the bar this year in terms of entertainment, activities and the prizes on offer. In addition, the efforts by sponsors to engage aspiring pilots and youngsters who want to pursue a career in aerospace has been fantastic,” added Al Sheikh.

The sponsors’ activities complement the rest of the activities available in the show-stopping interactive village, which has five specialist zones designed to provide entertainment and hospitality for visitors of all ages.

The Educational Zone features meet-the-pilots sessions, walk-through flight experiences and interactive displays, while tethered hot air balloon rides, go-karting and bungee trampolines make up the Entertainment Zone. The Family Zone offers the likes of 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 is 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.

More than 25 aircraft are taking to the skies in the daily flying display, including some of the planet’s best formation teams. Taking centre-stage this year, 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 sees six of the world’s best pilots flying in classic and free-style competition formats.

Spectators are being treated to a wealth of gravity-defying stunts featuring wing-walkers, subsonic jets and choreographed ‘dancers in the sky’. Fighters from the UAE Air Force are jetting in for the show, alongside 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.

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 Al Ain website at www.alainaerobaticshow.com

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, which is approximately 80 minutes scenic drive from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Easy access to the show makes it an ideal day trip from most parts of the Emirates for families and aviation enthusiasts alike.