United Arab Emirates: 09/11/2006

Pioneering London to Dubai airship journey launches in London

Today a pioneering airship adventure is being launched in London. 'The Spirit of Dubai', the largest commercial airship in the world, will begin a unique journey from London to Dubai, visiting many of the world's most famous landmarks on the way.

t is planned that the journey will take in landmarks including Big Ben, The London Eye and Tower Bridge in London, the iconic Selfridges building in Birmingham, Stonehenge, the White Cliffs of Dover, the Eiffel Tower and Versailles in Paris, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Colosseum in Rome, the Acropolis in Athens and the Great Pyramids in Egypt. The project marks the handover of the first residences on The Palm Jumeirah - the world's newest landmark - with The Spirit of Dubai due to arrive in Dubai before the end of the year.

Manal Shaheen, Director Sales, Marketing & Customer Services said: 'The journey of the airship sums up the pioneering spirit of Dubai and the journey Nakheel has undergone in creating The Palm Jumeirah, which we believe is the world's newest landmark. Land reclamation on this size and scale, and with the complex shape of a palm tree, has never been attempted let alone achieved. The project that has involved constant innovation and has overcome a number of unprecedented challenges to create construction history.

'Little more than five years ago, Nakheel laid the first grain of sand in the Arabian Gulf and by the end of this year we will be welcoming our very first residents. To celebrate this achievement we are delighted to begin our journey in London, home to some of the world's most famous landmarks that are an inspiration to all.'

The Spirit of Dubai is the world's largest commercial airship and is managed by Airship Management Services, Inc (AMS). The Spirit of Dubai will operate at around 1,500 to 3,000 feet with a cruising speed of around 30 to 50 mph - the airship can reach speeds of up to 70 mph (or faster, with a tailwind!). While cruising at 30 knots The Spirit of Dubai airship consumes 8 gallons (48 lbs) of fuel per hour. During a week of operations The Spirit of Dubai will consume less fuel than a 767 uses to simply move away from its gate to a runway!