UAE’s plane spotters look to skies at Dubai Air Show

The grandstand at Al Maktoum International Airport was packed with spectators, among them students from local schools, all keen to catch a glimpse of the latest commercial and military aircraft.

The Al Fursan aerobatic squad thrilled visitors on Sunday at the opening of Dubai Air Show, the biggest aerospace event in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Jasper Juinen / Bloomberg

DUBAI // Thousands of aviation fans and photographers risked strained necks for the opening of this year’s Dubai Air Show.

The grandstand at Al Maktoum International Airport was packed with spectators young and old alike all keen to catch a glimpse of the latest commercial and military aircraft.

“We also have a few families, some aviation geeks, plane spotters and photographers, who have special permission from the authorities to photograph aircraft,” said Darren Haynes, Skyview grandstand marketing manager, who added that about 2,000 students were invited to the show after winning a competition to design an aircraft of the future.

“It’s loud, it’s a day out with friends and it’s lots of fun,” he said. “They also have an opportunity to meet the pilots and ask them questions.

“It’s the thrill of seeing the display and if any of them have an interest in aviation or aircraft they’re happy to be here.”

Among the aircraft on show were the A350 Airbus, the Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter and the high-tech Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.

There was also a display by the UAE’s Al Fursan aerobatics demonstration team.

Sisters Nisha, 12, and Shreya Kaptizki, 10, from the Greenfield Community School, said they were excited to spend the day with friends at the air show.

“We were one of the winning schools, so we got at least 100 tickets to come today,” said Nisha. “I think it’s a cool thing to see.”

Shreya said: “I’m happy to be here because [I aim] to be a Boeing engineer and then a Nasa engineer.”

The girls’ mother, Rupa Mukherjee Kapitzki, a licensed pilot, said that it was an opportunity to show young women that they could also be involved in aviation and engineering.

“There are fewer women in aviation [than men], especially here,” she said.

“This show can show them the result in 20 years.

“I am sure out of 100 students, at least five will be influenced by today.”

Pedro Carmona, 13, hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps and work as a pilot.

“My dad is a pilot for Air Arabia and he has inspired me – I like aeroplanes,” said Pedro.

“It amazes me how humans have created things like this.”

Mustafa Khan, 13, said he has always been interested in science and would like to become a robotics engineer.

“I look at different theories of different scientists – such as Albert Einstein and Nikola Tesla – and their work inspires me,” he said.

“Although I don’t want to be in aviation and flying, I like the engineering part of it.”

Morsal Nahim, 14, and Humaira Yaseen, 15, from Pakistani School Ajman, enjoyed their field trip. “Last year, we went to the Sharjah Book Fair, and this is much more fun,” said Humaira.