Video: Spectacular flypast celebrates UAE National Day at Grand Prix

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abu dhabi grand prix, F1, lewis hamilton, uae national day

Abu Dhabi - The planes and jets had the challenging task of maintaining flight timings to the second.

By Wam

Published: Mon 2 Dec 2019, 12:29 PM

Last updated: Mon 2 Dec 2019, 6:28 PM

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, performed a spectacular flypast at Yas Marina Circuit on December 1 in celebration of the 48th UAE National Day and the 11th anniversary of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Thousands of spectators, including UAE leaders, watched the flypast which featured one of the airline's Airbus A380 superjumbos and a Boeing 787 Dreamliner sporting the unique Formula 1 themed livery in striking red and black.
Both aircraft flew in formation with the UAE's celebrated Al Fursan aerobatic team in a low-level fly-past above the capital's iconic Yas Marina Circuit.
Yasser Al Yousuf, Vice President Commercial Partnerships, Etihad Airways, said: "It is a privilege for all of us at Etihad to support the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. We are thrilled that this year's event coincides with the celebration of the 48th UAE National Day, making it an incredibly special occasion for our nation.

.@etihadairways, they color the skies of the #AbuDhabiGP ??????#F1 pic.twitter.com/7JVUamnPaS
- Yas Marina Circuit (@ymcofficial) December 1, 2019

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#AbuDhabiGP #RaceDay ? The festivities continue with the 48th #UAENationalDay. #RevYourColours ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? #?????? ?????? ? ?????? ??????????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????? ??48. #???_??????_???????? . @etihadairways @adnocgroup @yasalamae @yasmallad @yasisland @abudhabisc @flashentertainment @wbworldad @yaswaterworld @ferrariworldabudhabi @virginmegastoreme @fabconnects
A post shared by Yas Marina Circuit (@ymcofficial) on Dec 1, 2019 at 12:25pm PST

"The fly-past is a highlight of the event and it is an honour for our pilots to fly alongside the UAE's Al Fursan aerobatic display team."
The flypast was led by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner flying at 600ft, commanded by Captain Henry Crowley, Captain Abdullah Saleh, Captain Christopher Lunt and Captain Mohamed Al Tamimi. This was closely followed by the Airbus A380 at 800ft.
Commanded by Captain Adel Al Zubaidi, Captain Richard Dyson and Captain Ali Al Jabri. The accompanying Al Fursan Aerobatic team consisted of seven Aermacchi 339 jets flying at 750ft in a V formation trailing red, green, white and black smoke representing the colours of the UAE's flag. The team had the challenging task of maintaining flight timings to the second.