Emirates Post presented to Sharjah International Airport officials a set of commemorative stamps that were issued recently to celebrate 75 years of the establishment of the first international airport in the Emirate of Sharjah and the Gulf region.
The stamps, mounted on an ornamental frame, were presented by Mr. Mohammed Bin Shaker, Assistant CEO, Zones, Emirates Post, to Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri, Director General of Sharjah Airport Authority, in the presence of Mr. Khalid Isam Al Qassimi, Director, Department of Civil Aviation, at a ceremony held at the Sharjah International Airport.
“Sharjah has a proud aviation history that dates back to 75 years. It has been the UAE’s window to the world and has played a key role in taking the name of our country to the rest of the world,” said Ibrahim Bin Karam, CEO, Emirates Post. “On the occasion of the 75th anniversary, we are delighted to record for posterity the contribution of Sharjah through these special stamps.”
The development of aviation in Sharjah began on October 5, 1932, when the first aircraft landed on Sharjah soil, marking this station as a strategic landing point for Imperial Airways (the forerunner of British Airways), en route from England to India and Australia. In 1933 Sharjah pioneered in preparing meteorological reports.
The official opening of Sharjah International Airport was held on April 21, 1979. The expansion and development projects were constantly upgraded to meet the international standards and market demands. In line with these objectives, the first air cargo terminal in UAE, along with the Duty Free Shop, was built at Sharjah International Airport. Lufthansa Cargo established its second largest hub outside Frankfurt in Sharjah in 1993, while Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) was established in 1995.
In 1999, the International Meteorological Organization announced the MET centre in Sharjah International Airport to be the official centre in UAE for preparing weather forecasts. Air Arabia, the first low-cost carrier in the Middle East was launched in 2003.
In 2007, Sharjah International Airport launched its mega expansion project, which included a new departure hall with state-of-the-art check-in facilities and wider baggage collection belts. New retail, F&B services and expanded Duty Free shops were created to ensure variety and diversity in services and facilities. A new Medical Centre was opened in 2008.
Sharjah International Airport’s master-plan includes new expansion and development projects, besides the on-going plans to expand the existing taxiways, aircraft bays, aprons and car park areas to enable the airport to accommodate 17 million passengers by the year 2017.
