Burj Al Arab celebrates 25th anniversary
The famous Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, known for its unique architecture, celebrated its 25th anniversary. Since its opening in 1999, it has become a symbol of luxury and attracts tourists from all over the world every year.
The hotel’s sail-shaped silhouette, inspired by the traditional boats of the Persian Gulf, is crowned by a helipad. Located at a height of 210 metres, it has been the setting for many unforgettable events that have been remembered by residents and visitors alike.
One of the first highlights was the performance of famous golfer Tiger Woods, who in 2004 started the Dubai Desert Classic tournament with a shot from the helipad.
In 2007, Formula 1 driver David Coulthard demonstrated his skills by drifting an Infiniti 750bhp F1 car and leaving clouds of smoke behind him.
In 2005, tennis stars Roger Federer and Andre Agassi played a match on the helipad, which became part of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, drawing attention to this unique event.
In 2013, Nassir Al Neyyadi became the first person in history to parachute onto a helipad. The stunt took place three years after the opening of Dubai’s first parachuting school at Palm Jumeirah.
The Burj Al Arab Hotel’s helipad has also hosted exciting table tennis competitions. In 2013 and 2014, world-class players showed their skills on it.
In 2017, heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua sparred with boxing legend Seb Eubank in an improvised boxing ring, which was the tallest in the world.
In 2020, the venue hosted a unique yoga session where participants could enjoy panoramic views of the Persian Gulf, and in 2021, David Guetta held a virtual concert supporting people during the pandemic.
More recently, in March 2023, Polish pilot Luke Czepiela successfully landed on the helipad in his aeroplane, becoming the first person to perform this stunt.
These events emphasise the uniqueness of Burj Al Arab, its role in Dubai’s history, and its ability to surprise and inspire for 25 years.
Source: The National
