Sharjah:  4 October 2012

The 5 October 1932 was far from a normal day in Sharjah, as at 4pm, the first aircraft landed on the Al Mahatta runway en route to Bahrain. The Hanno, a British-made, four-propeller Handley Page HP42 biplane was piloted by Captain Horsey who expressed his admiration for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and the crew as their plane landed on Al Mahatta runway.

To mark the 80th anniversary of the landmark event SMD has designed a special programme featuring various events, to showcase the history and evolution of aviation in Sharjah and the UAE through the Al Mahatta Museum. The programme also wishes to honour the significant efforts the UAE's leadership have expended to protect and publicise the region's rich history.

In celebration of the Hanno's landing, an Auster plane took to the skies of Sharjah this October. Amidst a festive atmosphere at Sharjah Airport, the 1940s- British Auster aircraft will make its third flight to mark the 80th anniversary of the landing of first plane in Sharjah and the UAE.

On Friday, October 5, the Auster plane will take off from Sharjah Airport, at 4pm, flying to Al Khor and Khalid Lagoon and then over Al Mahatta Museum, the actual place where the first plane landed 80 years ago. The plane will fly at a visible magnitude to enable the public see the plane. The plane will be displayed at the Al Mahatta Museum marking the conclusion of the celebration of this landmark event, where the public can visit the museum to view the Auster aircraft and other exhibits. Entry will be free during the month of October this year.

The old British plane made its first flight on Tuesday, October 2, as it took off Sharjah Airport, flying over Ajman and Umm Al Quwain before landing in Ras Al Khaimah international airport where it was received by a special celebration during which a memento was presented to the airport before it returned to Sharjah at 5pm.

On Wednesday October 3, before the second the flight, Sharjah Airport witnessed a celebration attended by Sheikh Khalid bin Essam bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation, HE Dr. Ghanem Al Hajiri, Chairman of Sharjah International Airport, and HE Ali Salem Abdulrahman Al Madfaa , Director General of Sharjah International Airport, in addition to representatives from Fujairah international Airport.

During the event, Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, presented mementos to senior officials.

Following the event, the plane, piloted by Captain Martin Slater, took off from Sharjah airport, flying over Dibba, Kalba, Khorfakkan, to land in Al Fujairah international airport where a celebration was held there before the plane returned to Sharjah airport at 5pm.

-Ends-

About Sharjah Museums Department:
The Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) was established in 2006 by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. SMD manages more than 16 sites in the Emirate, covering most types of art, Islamic culture, archaeology, heritage, sciences, aquaculture and the history of the emirate of Sharjah and the region.

SMD aims to provide the highest standards of museum services through its museums, galleries, educational and research programmes, social communication programmes for Sharjah 's residents and visitors from the region. The vision of the department is to improve understanding, appreciation and respect for Sharjah's identity and the value of its cultural and natural heritage locally and internationally. 

For more information please visit the website: www.sharjahmuseums.ae

For more information, please contact:
Aliaa Al Ori
SAHARA Communications
Tel: +971 4 3298996
Mob; 00971 558472270
Email: aliaa@saharagcc.com
Web Site: www.saharagcc.com

Budour Al Muhairi
Public Relations Coordinator
Sharjah Museums Department
Tel: 971 + 6 5197234
Email: balmuhairi@sharjahmuseums.ae
Website: www.sharjahmuseums.ae

© Press Release 2012