Rare number plates went under the hammer in Dubai this weekend and fetched nearly Dh50 million – with the top seller being snapped up for close to Dh4 million.
The distinctive AA70 number plate was sold for Dh3.82 million at Dubai Roads and Transport Authority's latest auction, held on Saturday.
It proved the most lucrative licence plate on the night, edging out X7777 which was purchased for Dh3.8 million, with Z43 (Dh2.85 million), Y96 (Dh2.66 million) and S888 (Dh2.3 million) rounding out the top five.
The overall proceeds of Dh49.7 million represented a 30 per increase in sales on the previous open auction held this year, which brought in Dh38.21 million.
The RTA offered 90 premium plates at the auction, held at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City Hotel, featuring between two and five digits.
Rare number plates and phone numbers regularly go for substantial sums in the UAE.
Auctions often serve as fundraising drives for worthy causes.
In April, a determined Dubai bidder paid a remarkable Dh55 million for the prized number 7 plate in an auction that raised nearly Dh100 million for a Ramadan food appeal.
Sold plates included H31, W78, N41, AA19, AA22, X36, Z37, AA80 and others.
More than Dh97m was raised from the sale of car plates and exclusive mobile phone numbers on the night.
All proceeds from the auction went to the One Billion Meals Endowment campaign, which was launched to boost efforts to combat global hunger.
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
The specs: 2018 Audi Q5/SQ5
Price, base: Dh183,900 / Dh249,000
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder / 3.0L, turbocharged V6
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic / Eight-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,000rpm / 354hp @ 5,400rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,600rpm / 500Nm @ 1,370rpm
Fuel economy: combined 7.2L / 100km / 8.3L / 100km
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
