This aerial display is a visually inspiring scene and a firm tradition on race day, becoming the iconic moment that precedes the official start of the final race of the region's biggest weekend of sports and entertainment. The giant Airbus A380 (Super Jumbo) was accompanied by the Al Falamak aerobatic team, which drew lines of red, green, and black smoke in the sky, honoring the colors of the flag of the United Arab Emirates. This aerial display was led by a team of elite Etihad pilots: Captain Adel Al Zubaidi (Flight Leader), Captain Azizan bin Osman, Captain Harris Keneagos, and Captain Abdullah Al Afifi. The Airbus A380 crew executed this flyover with high precision at sunset, precisely when the Yas Marina Circuit transitioned from natural sunset lighting to bright floodlight illumination. In his comments, Captain Adel Al Zubaidi said: "Yas Marina Circuit is truly amazing from above, and we are aware that tens of thousands of people are watching this moment. Etihad executed a low-level flyover (at 500 feet) over Yas Marina Circuit to give a strong and distinctive start to the 2025 Etihad Airways Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. It is truly an exceptional feeling." This flyover marks Captain Al Zubaidi's eighth participation in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is a great honor to fly over the circuit directly after the national anthem is played—a moment that embodies the greatness of representing the United Arab Emirates on the world stage. The flyover at Yas Marina Circuit is a tradition that Etihad started with the first race in Abu Dhabi in 2009, and today we are proud to see the Etihad logo soaring over this amazing track, accompanied by the professional UAE Falcons aircraft. He also led the first aerial display in the race's history in 2009, when he piloted an A340 in Etihad colors to launch this annual tradition. Meanwhile, Etihad's Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, commented: "The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is one of the most exciting times in Abu Dhabi, attracting thousands of international visitors from all over the world."
