An extension was added to the rest house in 1939 as a result of increased personnel during the Second World War. This image shows the landing of a Hannibal class plane in 1933. The runway was converted into a road, now known as King Abdul Aziz Street, in the 1960s, while the airstrip remained in use until the Sharjah International Airport opened in 1977. Photo: Flight Magazine
The Hanno, the first plane to land in Sharjah, touches down from Gwadar on October 5, 1932. All photos by: Kenneth Mackay / Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies - Al Darah, unless otherwise specified
Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi stands under one of the wings of the Hanno after the plane made its arrival.
As well as becoming the UAE's first airport, Al Mahatta was also home to the nation's first hotel, featuring a guesthouse for travellers and crew on an overnight stopover. The location also featured a meteorological centre, a cinema, telegraph and postal services and a control tower. Pictured here under construction in September 1932.
This image shows the construction of the foundations of Al Mahatta's rest house in August 1932.
Workers carry a palm trunk into the rest house during building work in September 1932.
The rest house next to the airport was completed in April 1933.
An extension was added to the rest house in 1939 as a result of increased personnel during the Second World War. This image shows the landing of a Hannibal class plane in 1933. The runway was converted into a road, now known as King Abdul Aziz Street, in the 1960s, while the airstrip remained in use until the Sharjah International Airport opened in 1977. Photo: Flight Magazine
The Hanno, the first plane to land in Sharjah, touches down from Gwadar on October 5, 1932. All photos by: Kenneth Mackay / Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre for Gulf Studies - Al Darah, unless otherwise specified
Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi stands under one of the wings of the Hanno after the plane made its arrival.
As well as becoming the UAE's first airport, Al Mahatta was also home to the nation's first hotel, featuring a guesthouse for travellers and crew on an overnight stopover. The location also featured a meteorological centre, a cinema, telegraph and postal services and a control tower. Pictured here under construction in September 1932.
This image shows the construction of the foundations of Al Mahatta's rest house in August 1932.
Workers carry a palm trunk into the rest house during building work in September 1932.
The rest house next to the airport was completed in April 1933.
An extension was added to the rest house in 1939 as a result of increased personnel during the Second World War. This image shows the landing of a Hannibal class plane in 1933. The runway was converted into a road, now known as King Abdul Aziz Street, in the 1960s, while the airstrip remained in use until the Sharjah International Airport opened in 1977. Photo: Flight Magazine
The first plane to touch down in Sharjah 87 years ago: historic images of the UAE's earliest airport
See how Sharjah's first airport spread its wings and welcomed guests to stay in the UAE's earliest hotel
