The historic one-off Emirates A380 flight marking the 48th UAE National Day and the UAE Year of Tolerance returned to Dubai International Airport last week.
With more than 540 passengers celebrating a shared sense of place and pride to call the UAE their home, the one-of-a-kind flight was an initiative to showcase the UAE’s spirit of unity and inclusiveness.
The flight welcomed passengers from different backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and cultures and included families and children, Emirates Group employees, as well as people of determination. Passengers were encouraged to come in their national dress, and throughout the flight, their colorful costumes became a vibrant collage honoring their different heritages and traditions.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “The UAE has become a remarkable symbol of tolerance and coexistence, welcoming people from over 200 nationalities and backgrounds, all living together in solidarity and harmony. It is in fact the diversity of the citizens and residents of the UAE that unite us and make us stronger through mutual respect and opening bridges of common dialogue, and today’s flight is a celebration of that spirit which is very much a part of our everyday lives here in the UAE.”
EK 2019 was commanded by UAE nationals Captain Abbas Shaban and Captain Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum, and First Officer Karin Arning from Germany.
The 22 cabin crew on flight EK 2019 hailed from 18 countries, and were led by flight purser Jafar Hamad, a UAE national. On an average flight, Emirates cabin crew represent up to 15 nationalities. An average Emirates flight typically carries more than 50 nationalities onboard.
The airline attempted to welcome as many nationalities as possible onto flight EK2019, for a special flight journey across all seven emirates. After passengers checked in, they were welcomed by Emirates cabin crew and were invited to take keepsake photos to mark the special event. Passengers were also able to write their names and wishes for the Year of Tolerance on a special message wall. Before boarding, a bespoke stamp to mark this special flight was put on each boarding pass as an added keepsake for passengers.
Once onboard and ready for takeoff, special Year of Tolerance content was available on ice for viewing by all passengers. Just before descent, an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records, who was onboard verifying nationality counts, officially announced a new Guinness World Records title for most nationalities on an aircraft.
Talal Omar, director MENA, Guinness World Records, said: “We congratulate both the UAE and Emirates Airline for making history today. This achievement reflects the keenness to spread the spirit of tolerance and show the real image of moderation.”
