Emirati Participates in Air Mission That Completed the First Circumnavigation of Antarctica

Emirati explorer Ibrahim Sharaf Al Hashemi participated in an air mission that completed the first circumnavigation of Antarctica using two helicopters, during the period from December 4, 2024 to January 17, 2025,

In an unprecedented achievement, he is the first Emirati to participate in this historic journey.

The mission took off from “Union Glacier” and returned, covering a distance of 19,050 kilometers, in a journey that took more than a month, after careful planning that lasted seven years to overcome logistical challenges and harsh weather conditions.

The journey was led by explorer Frederik Paulsen, and during it the mission explored remote areas of the icy continent, and witnessed breathtaking natural landscapes that included giant icebergs and frozen rivers, amidst freezing temperatures and strong winds.

This achievement is an important step in the field of aerial exploration, enhances the participation of Emiratis in global exploration missions, and confirms the possibility of carrying out long-range flights in the harshest natural environments on Earth.