Aviation in Dubai: The beginnings

We were only children, running to have a glimpse of water planes (flying boats) landing in Dubai Creek. The roaring noise of their engines fascinated us. We asked questions on why they used to land on water, but we only had those questions answered when we grew older. We discovered what it meant to have planes taking off from Dubai to destinations around the world.

Juma Al Majid
Prominent UAE businessman and Chairman of Dubai Economic Council

Highlights

The emergence of landing facilities
Tough aviation negotiations between the Iranian government and Britain
Aviation agreements with Trucial States rulers
March 6, 1930... The first seaplane landing in Dubai Creek
Facilities in Ras Al Khaimah in 1930
An airport in Sharjah in 1932
Turbulence causes a seven-year delay of civil aviation progress in Dubai
Dubai signs pact in November 1933
Abu Dhabi signs pact in 1935
October 3, 1937... the first regular commercial flight to the emirate
June 1938... renewal of the pact for five years
Flying boats refueling agreement
Seaplanes in Dubai Creek
Negative impact of the Second World War on Dubai
1943... renewal of air agreements with Dubai
Cannons stop... air travel business prospers
Developments threatened the role of Dubai's water landing facilities
Renewal of the air agreement (1948-1951)