Sharjah Museums Department organises closing ceremony to mark 80th anniversary of Hanno's landing in Sharjah

The Emirate witnessed a array of specially designed events starting 2 October 2012 to celebrate the landmark event, which commemorates the landing of the first aircraft on the Al Mahatta runway en route to Bahrain.

The closing ceremony featured a number of events that highlight the history of Al Mahatta, the first airport in Sharjah.

Speaking on the occasion, Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, said: "We are extremely pleased to celebrate the anniversary of the landing of the first plane in the UAE and highlight the importance of the Al Mahatta Museum, The first airport in Sharjah and the UAE. Through this celebration we have had the opportunity to familiarise the public with the political and social conditions of a highly significant era in the history of the UAE."

Ataya thanked Sharjah Police, Sharjah Media Centre, and Sharjah Documentation and Research Centre, for their outstanding efforts as SMD's strategic partners; we also thank Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, Sharjah International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, Fujairah International Airport and Al Serkal Cultural Foundation. We extend a special thank to Mr. Ahmed bin Askar Al Naqbi, first Emirati fighter pilot in Al Mahatta, as well as the management and staff of SMD and Al Mahatta Museum wishing them all the success.

Captain Ahmed Abdullah Bin Askar, said the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the landing of first aircraft in the UAE constitutes a source of pride and honour for me as the first military pilot in the UAE. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the Sharjah Museums Department for organizing such landmark events, wishing my dear emirate of Sharjah and our beloved country of the UAE more progress and success.

During the celebration programme, the attendants took a tour of the Al Mahatta Museum. One hall of the museum's was reopened after renovation in addition to a number of associated programs including: photo gallery from the history of Al Mahatta, a speech of Mr. Ahmed bin Askar Al Naqbi, a documentary film about Al Mahatta and the flights piloted by Captain Martin Slater. The plane which dates back to the first half of past century made flights flying over Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Dibba, Kalba and Khorfakkan during days of celebration. The Auster plane which is the same model as the first Gulf Aviation plane in sharjah joined the collections of Al Mahatta Museum. The activities included honoring the partners and shareholders in the ceremony. On this occasion, SMD announced that the entrance will be free for all visitors at Al Mahatta Museum during the month of October 2012.