The concept is a UAE national project, namely the development one of the oldest type of aircraft, the Airship, and utilizing it in a way that has never been done before.

Airships are classified as "lighter than air" aircraft and mix lift, generated by helium gas, with small engines to drive and maneuver the aircraft. Historically airships were able to fly over 1,500 commercial trips between Europe and America where they carried over 34,000 passengers before aeroplanes dominated the route.

According to Al-Ansari, the goal of this initiative is to promote the launching of a national creative project at an international level that will enhance the standing of the United Arab Emirates on the international tourism stage and participate in creative, social and environmental initiatives. Captain Khaled says the 'Spirit of the Emirates' will glide quietly and elegantly over the most important touristic sights to make the Emirates a true attraction, as intended by the Deputy of the Head of the State. If the weather conditions are suitable the airship will glide at a height of one thousand five hundred feet and will combine safety with clear views of the UAE's many landmarks.

The 'Spirit of the Emirates' is a safe and environmentally friendly airship that gives a feeling of floating over the clouds through the use of massive windows that allow passengers vast uninterrupted views of the ground. The distinctive shape of the airship combined with creative liveries from Happy Design Studios ensures that the Spirit of the Emirates will quickly make a major impact in the skies above the UAE.

'Spirit of the Emirates' combines its huge classic airship appearance with many types of advanced technology. Computer programs will be installed on computer tablets that are connected to satellites. Of these an Augmented Reality Program will be available on 'Spirit of the Emirates' for all passengers and the public at the ground station of the airships. It is an electronic tour guide and a means for passengers to get guidance, education and entertainment about what they will see during flights. The application is one of a kind and is exclusive to The 'Spirit of the Emirates'. It was developed by Al-Ansari himself, he advises "I try to combine the history of airships in the technological future of 'Spirit of the Emirates'. This initiative seeks to put the United Arab Emirates in first place internationally in developing this program."

The 'Spirit of the Emirates' will offer luxury tourist trips for the citizens and tourists departing from the 'Spirit of the Emirates' ground station. The station by itself is designed to be a luxurious tourist destination, it includes reception halls for hospitality and gates to board the airships. There are also many international restaurants, cafes, a small national museum and souvenir stores.

The airship can take fourteen passengers who can enjoy luxury, technology and a spacious cabin. Passengers can move freely inside the cabin after takeoff. It is anticipated that the number of guests to visit 'Spirit of the Emirates' will be over 20,000 guests per annum, for every airship.

The studies for the 'Spirit of the Emirates' project began in 2003 with support from Mohammed Bin Rashed's Establishment for Small and Medium Projects. Later, this initiative received wide support from several national bodies interested in this field in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi such as Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. The support was not only by governmental side; international companies also joined in, including the Designer Didier Wolff, the founder of Happy Design Studio in France (www.happydesign.net) which provided the best handcrafted livery designs that are highest in terms of quality and accuracy on the body of the planes. The idea of 'Spirit of the Emirates' station was developed by White Space architects in Dubai (www.whitespace.ae) which is specialized in distinguished architectural engineering.

Al-Ansari affirms that 'Spirit of the Emirates' will be one of the main supporters of the government's pillars of activity. There is also a great deal of potential to develop this initiative because there are more ambitious ideas that can be incorporated in the near future.