Flying is a recent addition to Dubai sports, but fast catching up as a fun activity among tourists traveling to Dubai. Soaring over the incredible city and the surrounding desert can be exhilarating while on a visit to Dubai. Being airborne whether in a helicopter, plane, or a hot air balloon, flying is an enchanting experience. For the adventure-smitten traveler there is also paragliding, the thrilling flying fantasy of participants in Dubai sports.
Oil exploration and related activities opened up the skies for flying in the latter part of the 20th century for businesspersons who visit Dubai. Unprecedented economic boom and infrastructure development in the last few decades heralded an exciting era of tourism, which attracts people from all over the world to travel to Dubai.
Charter flights: Besides corporate charter flights, several aviation clubs in Dubai offer services such as passenger charter flights, leisure charter services, medical evacuation services etc. Besides the option of quick travel to other neighboring UAE states, many tourists visiting Dubai also look forward to an aerial tour of the city. A tourist holding a valid flying license can also rent an aircraft on an hourly basis for a charming flight over the sea or the desert.
Seawings: Among all the Dubai sports, flying along the fascinating coastline in a seaplane makes for a romantic getaway. Seawings provides seaplane facilities to tourists who travel to Dubai. With three aircraft, Seawings offers services including scenic flights and customized excursions as a Dubai sport. The company also makes available seaplanes for charter to tourists visiting Dubai.
Contact: P.O.Box 262160, Tel: +971 4 8832999, Fax: +971 4 8814558
Email: reservations@seawings.ae
Emirates Flying School: The Emirates Flying School came into being in 1989 to fulfill a need for training pilots. While on a visit to Dubai, one could try to learn how to fly for pleasure too at the school. The school offers different programmes ranging from pleasure flights to career programmes. The Emirates Flying School is also a meeting ground for people to socialize with like-minded flyers.
Contact: P.O.Box No. 7624, Dubai. Tel: 04-299515567/62, Fax 2995163
Email: flying@emirates.net.ae
Aerogulf Service Company: Based at the Dubai International Airport, the Aerogulf Service Company has seven aircraft and two helicopters used for commercial air transport. Founded in 1976, Aerogulf flies for offshore oil and gas industry in the region and provides night fly facility to offshore locations throughout the year. With an increasing number of people traveling to Dubai in the recent years, Aerogulf has diversified to cater to the tourists by offering Fly Dubai helicopter services.
Contact: Dubai International Airport, P.O.Box No 10566, Dubai. Tel: +971 4 2200331 Fax +97142200828. Email: ops@aerogulf.ae.
Eastern skyJets: Eastern Skyjets provides aircraft charter and travel services to people who visit Dubai. The company has executive and passenger aircraft to cater to the needs of customers for various purposes. The company promises to provide aircraft round the clock to services like corporate travel, leisure travel and medical evacuation.
Contact: East Wing Suite 3E107, Dubai International Airport. Tel +971 (0) 42995811.
Fax: +971 (0) 42995822.
Paragliding: People who visit Dubai for a longer period can try their mettle at paragliding. The Micro Aviation Club, situated on the border of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offers paragliding and paramotoring training that is usually for a minimum of 10 days. For fees starting from 3500 AED, the club provides the glider, harness and helmet for the duration of training and successful participants get license.
Contact: Tel: 050 4830915, +971 5 02917177
Email: dubaiparagliders@yahoo.com.
Dubai Flying Association: Started In the 1980s, the Dubai Flying Association aims to provide a common ground for people with flying licenses to meet and discuss technical aspects of flying. The club also organizes social interactions for its members.
Hot Air Ballooning: Hot air ballooning is another exciting Dubai sport which has become popular with tourists who visit Dubai. Hot air ballooning is a romantic way to fly over Dubai coastline and the surrounding desert. Some of the companies that offer hot air ballooning services include:
Amigo Balloons: 04 2899295
Balloon Adventures: 04 2738585
Voyagers Extreme: 04 3454504