Dubai’s Emirates celebrates Sheikh Zayed’s centennial with six decorated aircraft

Dubai carrier Emirates has landed six specially decorated aircraft on six continents to celebrate 100 years since UAE founder Sheikh Zayed’s birth.

The country’s founding father was born in Al Ain on May 6 and was the main driver behind the formation of the seven emirates into a federation before becoming the first president.

He held the position for nearly 33 years, from 1971 until his death in 2004.

The carrier first unveiled the Year of Zayed design in November last year to mark the delivery of its 100th Airbus A380.

Read: Emirates deploys special ‘Year of Zayed’ aircraft to new Muscat terminal

It now has 10 of the aircraft carrying the special livery, which have carried out 1,800 flights to date.

The six planes landed in destinations including Rio De Janeiro, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Geneva, New York and Brisbane.

طيران #الإمارات تخصص 6 من طائراتها الـ10 التي تحمل ملصق "عام زايد" لخدمة رحلات تغطي قارات العالم الست احتفالاً بالذكرى المئوية لميلاد المغفور له بإذن الله، الشيخ زايد بن سلطان آل نهيان، طيب الله ثراه. pic.twitter.com/o4IpboEBND

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 7, 2018

“Today, we celebrate the centennial anniversary of the birth of the UAE’s founding father, His Highness Sheikh Zayed, who dedicated his life to building a thriving and vibrant UAE,” said emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum

|The principles and initiatives he set in motion have become the foundations for the UAE’s progress. We hope through our special liveries we honour his memory and legacy and help spread his inspirational messages around the world as our aircraft continue to circle the globe in 2018.”

To commemorate Sheikh Zayed’s birth, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sautrday ordered the payment of one month’s salary to all serving and retired government employees, citizens and military personnel.

A total of Dhs1.6bn ($435.5m) has been allocated for the payments, which will range from Dhs5,000 ($1,361) to Dhs50,000 ($13,612) per person.

Read: UAE president orders $435.5m of payments to gov employees, civilians

Also on Sunday, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry released a book to recount Sheikh Zayed’s life and accomplishments.

Zayed: Life of a Great Leader covers the many facets of the late leaders’ personality from his early days in Al Ain to the forging of a vision that guides the country to this day.

Dubai Chamber releases book to commemorate UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed

Dubai Chamber releases book to commemorate UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed