Video: Emirati explorer circles Antarctica by helicopter

Dubai: Ibrahim Sharaf Al Hashemi, an Emirati explorer, participated in an air mission that completed the first circular flight around Antarctica using two helicopters.

The mission took place from December 4, 2024, to January 17, 2025, marking an unprecedented accomplishment and making Al Hashemi the first Emirati to join this historic expedition.

The journey, which started and ended at Union Glacier Camp, covered 19,050 kilometers and lasted over a month. It involved meticulous planning over seven years to overcome the logistical hurdles and extreme weather conditions of the region.

Under the leadership of explorer Frederik Paulsen, the team explored remote parts of the icy continent, witnessing stunning landscapes of giant icebergs and frozen rivers, while enduring freezing temperatures and strong winds.

This milestone represents a significant advance in aerial exploration, emphasising the UAE’s growing participation in global missions and showcasing the potential for long-haul flights in some of the harshest natural environments on Earth.