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ABU DHAB/ WAM
Racing fans were treated to a spectacular, low-level fly-past just minutes before the start of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix by aircraft from Title Sponsor Etihad Airways and Al Fursan Al Emarat, the UAE’s aerobatic display team.
Coinciding with the airline’s 20th anniversary year, the Etihad Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner flew over the iconic start-finish line of Yas Marina Circuit at an altitude of 600 ft, at precisely 16:44 and 55 seconds.
The flight was operated by four of Etihad’s most experienced pilots, including Captain Driss Moussaoui who is also celebrating 20 years of flying for Etihad this month. He was joined on the flight deck by senior captains Abdullah Saleh, Mohammed al Tamimi, and Mimmo Catalano.
Following shortly behind in a V formation, Al Fursan Al Emarat’s seven Aermacchi MB-339NAT jet aircraft – representing the seven emirates of the UAE – displayed vapour trails in the red, green and black colours of the UAE’s national flag.