![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOWIOE6CZ765TBTCBAJT4WQDZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=90220861f0de5c7b95542d56c5663f724722b8442f8c5a20442a9fec62f8138f&width=400&height=225)
An extension was added to the rest house in 1939 as a result of increased personnel during the Second World War. This image shows the landing of a Hannibal class plane in 1933. The runway was converted into a road, now known as King Abdul Aziz Street, in the 1960s, while the airstrip remained in use until the Sharjah International Airport opened in 1977. Photo: Flight Magazine
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5QZ3KUBLNSFK6HLOEJFHGEJQ2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=737814c32808d206a9766bdd4caa53c7b19b551d22de28346fcbc3dd356fb6fd&width=400&height=225)
The Hanno, the first plane to land in Sharjah, touches down from Gwadar on October 5, 1932. All photos by: Kenneth Mackay / Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies - Al Darah, unless otherwise specified
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X436RVJ4BPQBNTEHOKRG34DRUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=76da91ad94cbe8f7e218b7a91e9230e2256e0d7d9458d41332ee434d1bc40c8b&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi stands under one of the wings of the Hanno after the plane made its arrival.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X4Y7XM4S4FRRUPNYUS7I4AIHAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3aa2ec96c1c8524b58168d976dc5df9d68092025b77ff79541c6b51e43a42f89&width=400&height=225)
As well as becoming the UAE's first airport, Al Mahatta was also home to the nation's first hotel, featuring a guesthouse for travellers and crew on an overnight stopover. The location also featured a meteorological centre, a cinema, telegraph and postal services and a control tower. Pictured here under construction in September 1932.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MCJXQ3UIOYDQK442DC6TEQLBFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=88a672651e410f959bf56c131dfc63fbd314c7d6b6aa277fd4a0ffdb48e162a7&width=400&height=225)
This image shows the construction of the foundations of Al Mahatta's rest house in August 1932.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LR7WUPRCPUFC2V7WK2CKPPNZ54.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfcaf4dd1d6397d12f581afdcec6750f1a9d813ac9e9916547c3561349f961ff&width=400&height=225)
Workers carry a palm trunk into the rest house during building work in September 1932.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RSZDMXS6FAJHXFHMBVYBREU5YA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b1c4e3d28262d8aee2095c8e274da76bd6482ca507c441b31de7d1b0361fccd&width=400&height=225)
The rest house next to the airport was completed in April 1933.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOWIOE6CZ765TBTCBAJT4WQDZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=90220861f0de5c7b95542d56c5663f724722b8442f8c5a20442a9fec62f8138f&width=400&height=225)
An extension was added to the rest house in 1939 as a result of increased personnel during the Second World War. This image shows the landing of a Hannibal class plane in 1933. The runway was converted into a road, now known as King Abdul Aziz Street, in the 1960s, while the airstrip remained in use until the Sharjah International Airport opened in 1977. Photo: Flight Magazine
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/5QZ3KUBLNSFK6HLOEJFHGEJQ2E.jpg?smart=true&auth=737814c32808d206a9766bdd4caa53c7b19b551d22de28346fcbc3dd356fb6fd&width=400&height=225)
The Hanno, the first plane to land in Sharjah, touches down from Gwadar on October 5, 1932. All photos by: Kenneth Mackay / Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies - Al Darah, unless otherwise specified
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X436RVJ4BPQBNTEHOKRG34DRUM.jpg?smart=true&auth=76da91ad94cbe8f7e218b7a91e9230e2256e0d7d9458d41332ee434d1bc40c8b&width=400&height=225)
Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi stands under one of the wings of the Hanno after the plane made its arrival.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/X4Y7XM4S4FRRUPNYUS7I4AIHAE.jpg?smart=true&auth=3aa2ec96c1c8524b58168d976dc5df9d68092025b77ff79541c6b51e43a42f89&width=400&height=225)
As well as becoming the UAE's first airport, Al Mahatta was also home to the nation's first hotel, featuring a guesthouse for travellers and crew on an overnight stopover. The location also featured a meteorological centre, a cinema, telegraph and postal services and a control tower. Pictured here under construction in September 1932.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MCJXQ3UIOYDQK442DC6TEQLBFA.jpg?smart=true&auth=88a672651e410f959bf56c131dfc63fbd314c7d6b6aa277fd4a0ffdb48e162a7&width=400&height=225)
This image shows the construction of the foundations of Al Mahatta's rest house in August 1932.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/LR7WUPRCPUFC2V7WK2CKPPNZ54.jpg?smart=true&auth=bfcaf4dd1d6397d12f581afdcec6750f1a9d813ac9e9916547c3561349f961ff&width=400&height=225)
Workers carry a palm trunk into the rest house during building work in September 1932.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RSZDMXS6FAJHXFHMBVYBREU5YA.jpg?smart=true&auth=2b1c4e3d28262d8aee2095c8e274da76bd6482ca507c441b31de7d1b0361fccd&width=400&height=225)
The rest house next to the airport was completed in April 1933.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOWIOE6CZ765TBTCBAJT4WQDZY.jpg?smart=true&auth=90220861f0de5c7b95542d56c5663f724722b8442f8c5a20442a9fec62f8138f&width=400&height=225)
An extension was added to the rest house in 1939 as a result of increased personnel during the Second World War. This image shows the landing of a Hannibal class plane in 1933. The runway was converted into a road, now known as King Abdul Aziz Street, in the 1960s, while the airstrip remained in use until the Sharjah International Airport opened in 1977. Photo: Flight Magazine
The first plane to touch down in Sharjah 87 years ago: historic images of the UAE's earliest airport
See how Sharjah's first airport spread its wings and welcomed guests to stay in the UAE's earliest hotel
![Emma Day](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F1a37f18d-ff90-4ef4-89f6-e50a1bb74e90.png?smart=true&auth=657abfd38c1c889f74fac636bb0b6eb472f7513bf2532fdc336b6ecabe646ae4&width=70&height=70)
Emma Day
27 October, 2019
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