First official paragliding licensed centre in the UAE is open to the public next Monday, offering three
packages and several membership options
● Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qassimi: We introduced legislation, systems, and criteria that
ensure that the centre meets the highest paragliding safety standards
● Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer: The centre provides a unique experience for adventure seekers
and promotes growth and investment in the tourism and adventure sector
● Eisa Hilal Al Hazami: We look forward to increasing the number of paragliders and fostering a
sport-culture in Sharjah through this centre
● Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi: The centre is latest paragliding destination for all amateur
and professional aerosports seekers
● Khalid Al Midfa: Sharjah has elevated tourist attractions through bolstering cultural tourism,
ecotourism, and sports and adventure tourism
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), have launched ‘Sky
Adventures’, the first official paragliding licensed centre in the UAE, and Shurooq’s latest
investment in sports, leisure and adventure tourism in Sharjah’s central region. The centre will
be open to the audience next Monday, offering aerosports enthusiasts an unforgettable
opportunity to experience the picturesque desert landscapes of Sharjah’s Central Region area
from the skies, as well as attract investment and provide new locations for local businesses.
The ‘Sky Adventures’ offers three exciting packages and membership options that appeal to different
kinds of adventure seekers. These include tandem paragliding with experienced professionals, a
comprehensive, expert-led course to learn how to paraglide on your own and get international
paragliding licence, and guided flights for licensed paragliders who want to experience the majesty
of floating above the desert landscape while accumulating flight time.
The new adventure was announced, yesterday (Thursday) at the central Region of Sharjah, in the
presence of HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation in
Sharjah (DCA); HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mualla; HE Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief
Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); HE Mohammed
Yousuf Abdul Rahman, General Secretary of EAF; HE Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, President of
EAF; HE Yousef Hassan Al Hammadi, Vice-President of EAF; HE Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of
Sharjah Tourism and Commerce Development Authority (SCTDA); and HE Eisa Hilal Al Hazami,
Chairman Of Sharjah Sports Council.
Creating Investment Opportunities and Promoting Sharjah as a Global Destination
HE Sheikh Khalid Bin Isam Al Qassimi, Chairman of the DCA, said: “At the DCA, we were keen to
introduce legislation, systems, and criteria to ensure the centre meets the highest paragliding safety
standards that align with our belief in security and quality in all of our operations and strategies that
seek to achieve ideal investment opportunities, drive the sustainable development process and
protect people in line with the directives of the wise Leadership. We are confident that “Shurooq” will
be dedicated to offering a unique experience in which aerosports enthusiasts, paragliding in
particular, will enjoy this thrilling adventure.”
His Excellency Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of “Shurooq” remarked
on the newly announced licensed training centre, saying: “Our portfolio of destinations and
activities continues to expand as we aim to drive investment in various sectors of Sharjah. The
new ‘Sky Adventures’, which will be open to the public next Monday, is one among them,
providing a thrilling and unique experience for adventure seekers. Visitors will have the chance
to see Sharjah from an entirely different perspective. It represents a great opportunity to
promote growth and investment in the tourism and adventure sector.”
“We would like to thank the DCA in Sharjah for their efforts in enacting legislation that ensures the
centre meets the highest safety standards. At “Shurooq”, we are dedicated to developing diverse
projects and experiences in all of Sharjah’s regions, and we chose Al Faya Mountain in the
central region, given its importance in attracting paragliders. It will appeal to both local and
international visitors, while supporting the growth of local businesses and promoting the
Emirate’s tourism landscape.” HE added.
HE Eisa Hilal Al Hazami, Chairman Of Sharjah Sports Council, commended the inauguration of the
Sky Adventures, which is a remarkable achievement by “Shurooq”, stating: “The centre will enable
adventure and aerosports seekers to paraglide and get official international licences. Besides, it will
host paragliding championships and tournaments from the UAE and the region, which cements
Sharjah’s position at the international level and supports the sports and adventure tourism sector in
the emirate. It will encourage the public to play sports and at the same time explore those stunning
regions, and we look forward to increasing the number of paragliders and fostering a sport-culture in
Sharjah through this centre.”
HE Nasser Hamouda Al Neyadi, President of EAF, said: “We are delighted to announce the first
official paragliding licenced centre in the UAE, at Al Faya Mountain in Sharjah’s central region,
because it is one of the most ideal destinations for paragliding, and I would like to thank all
entities that contributed to the success of this centre, namely, the sharjah investment and
Development Authority (Shurooq), Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah, and Sharjah Tourism
and Commerce Development Authority.”
For his part, HE Khalid Al Midfa, Chairman of SCTDA, said: “Under the vision and directives of His
Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of
Sharjah, the emirate has elevated tourist attractions through bolstering cultural tourism, ecotourism,
and sports and adventure tourism. Sharjah has been successful in furthering its remarkable
achievements and significant milestones, bolstering its leading status among world’s cities.
Moreover, it has contributed to driving the inclusive development process that plays a key role in
sustaining vibrant key sectors and supporting the national economy. Today, we are pleased to see
“Shurooq” launch the “Sky Adventures”, which will nurture sports and adventure tourism, and attract
paragliders from around the world through offering an exceptional tourist experience.”
Unforgettable Tandem Paragliding for One and All
The tandem paragliding package is ideal for adrenaline seekers who are looking for an exciting
new way to experience the thrill of flying, as a highly experienced professional paraglider takes
visitors to the skies in this tandem paragliding adventure. For this experience, visitors will be
taken by buggy on an adventurous ride to the take-off location on the foothills of Al Faya
Mountain, before being briefed on the launch procedure and secured to their professional
paraglider via a safe but comfortable harness. They will then be taken to the skies to experience
a breathtaking paragliding adventure above the desert for 10-15 minutes and witness the beauty
of the landscapes below, through a unique perspective they have never seen before.
Learn to Fly Solo and Take to the Skies
The solo paragliding package of ‘Sky Adventures’ is for those with even more adventure in their
heart and who want to learn how to paraglide on their own. This 4-day comprehensive course
divided into 3-hour sessions will have professional and experienced paragliders teach enrolled
visitors everything they need to know to be able to confidently and safely take to the skies,
giving them the skills and knowledge to quench their thrill-seeking spirits for years to come.
After learning from a professional expert the newly qualified visitors will be able to experience
the exhilarating time of their lives with 5 solo flights and all necessary equipment and checks to
give them the confidence to soar above the desert and feel the unforgettable freedom and thrill
of flight. Successful participants can apply for a paragliding licence which is recognised
internationally.
Be Guided Through the Skies and Witness the Majesty of Sharjah
The pilot paraglider’s package will offer licensed paragliders the chance to soar 5000 feet in the
air over Sharjah’s Central Region area with full ground support, weather observation, and
equipment checking, providing experienced flyers with an unforgettable experience of Sharjah
that is hard to top. Licensed pilot paragliders will be able to accumulate their flight time while
taking in the pristine views and appeal to their sense of adventure.
Frequent Flyers and Membership Options
Skilled and licensed paragliders can explore the membership program with multiple options that
include 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year packages, offering the opportunity to experience
the beauty and majesty of Sharjah’s skies and landscapes more frequently. Membership
includes paragliding flight support and ground handling assistance, giving members the
confidence to experience this unique paragliding destination again and again, making it a prime
destination for experienced paragliders to create unforgettable memories.
All those who are interested in this thrilling adventure experience, whether they are first-time
flyers or aspiring paragliders looking for breath-taking scenery, or they wish to get an
international licence, or veterans seeking a prime paragliding location or membership, can
obtain more information and register for the Sky Adventures at https://sky-adventures.ae/.