ABU DHABI: Ibrahim Sharaf Al Hashemi, an Emirati explorer, participated in an air mission that completed the first circular flight around Antarctica, using two helicopters. This mission marked an unprecedented accomplishment and made Al Hashemi the first Emirati to join such a historic expedition.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the mission took place from December 4, 2024, to January 17, covering a distance of 19,050 kilometres over a month. The journey started and ended at Union Glacier Camp and involved seven years of meticulous planning to address logistical challenges and the extreme weather conditions of the region.
Under the leadership of explorer Frederik Paulsen, the team explored remote parts of the icy continent. They witnessed landscapes of giant icebergs and frozen rivers while enduring freezing temperatures and strong winds. This milestone represents a significant advance in aerial exploration, emphasizing the UAE's growing participation in global missions and highlighting the potential for long-haul flights in some of Earth's harshest environments.