Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) today announced the full programme of exciting aerobatic activities for the Ain Air Championship 2015, taking place from 17-19 December, at an exclusive press conference at the Al Ain International Airport attended by Sultan Al Dhaheri, Acting Executive Director of Tourism Sector at TCA Abu Dhabi, alongside the captains of the participating teams including Fursan Al Emarat, the Saudi Hawks, the Misty Blues, the current reigning European Aerobatic Champions, Bravo3 Rapsol and the daring Breitling Wingwalkers. Breitling are the official time partner and prize sponsor at the championship. The event is being supported by the UAE Air Force (UAEAF) and the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).

Adrenaline-fuelled excitement will reach new heights at the launch of the 11th Al Ain Air Championship, where visitors are set to witness breath-taking aerobatic displays from both military and civilian teams as they begin their battle to be named Grand Champion.

This year, the Al Ain Air Championship introduces a new competitive and interactive show format designed to add further levels of excitement for visitors at the event. By downloading a free mobile application, the public will be thrust into the centre of the action and empowered to be part of the judging panel to choose the best team of the Championship.

"This year we are proud to launch a new and refined championship format for the Al Ain Air Championship, offering a new level of interactivity that allows visitors to be part of the judging panel for the first time," said Sultan Al Dhaheri.. By downloading the mobile application from the Al Ain Air Championship website, visitors can score the aerobatic team's performance based on their 'wow' factor and their ability to illustrate grace, power and national pride for their respective nations.

Spectacular Aerobatic Displays

Visitors to the aerobatic event will see first-hand the spectacular displays from military teams, such as the Fursan Al Emarat team, the UAE Air Force F16 & Mirage, the Bahrain Air Force F16 and the Saudi Hawks from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An additional seven civilian teams will impress judges with dare-devil thrilling performances, including the Bravo3 Repsol Team.

"We are honoured to take part in the Al Ain Air Championship this year and showcase our Sukhoi-Flying aerobatic routine that we are sure will impress audiences in the UAE. For years we have been travelling the world breaking the boundaries of possibility with our aerobatics and we look forward to putting on a spectacular display that will get the visitors voting," said Captain of Bravo3 Repsol, Castor Fantoba.

Another civilian team that will captivate the crowd at the Air Championship is the Misty Blues All Woman Skydiving Team, which has been thrilling audiences with their aerobatic displays since the early 1980's. These exceptionally talented and brave women delight in showcasing their parachuting talents that make them some of the most skilled skydivers in the world.

Amanda Scheffler, Co-Owner of the Misty Blues, said: "We are so happy to be part of the Al Ain Air Championship as we will get to meet all of the performers from around the world and have the opportunity to demonstrate our skydiving routines for the people of the UAE. We are also really excited to learn about the local culture and visit some of Al Ain's incredible tourist spots such as Al Jahili Fort and Al Ain Oasis."

Representing the UAE nation, with their patriotic and colourful air display and stunts, the Fursan Al Emarat team will also make a stunning appearance at the Championship. Commenting on its involvement, Lieutenant Colonel Nasser Al Obaidli, Fursan Al Emarat Team Leader, said: "The Fursan Al Emarat team represents the entire nation of the UAE. As part of the Air Force, our mission is to do the nation proud while engaging and exciting people with our stunts. We are thrilled to be part of the Al Ain Air Championship and are excited to see the other acts from around the world. It is an event not to be missed for aviation enthusiasts and families alike."

The other civilian teams to grace the skies at the Al Ain Air Championship include one of the UK's most skilled flying aces formally from the UK's Royal Air Force, Richard Goodwin (UK), in addition to the Breitling Wingwalkers (UK), The Belgium Broncos (Belgium), Glider FX Aerobatics (UK) and Artur Keilak (Poland).

Partners of the championship are offering fun-filled Al Ain travel packages, with the Al Ain Experience Pass that offers big discounts on the city's most exciting attractions. This experience includes 2-for-1 adult entry passes to Wadi Adventure, free entry and discounted F&B at Al Ain Zoo, 30% off all facilities at Al Ain Golf Equestrian and Shooting Club and tickets to the Al Ain FC vs. Sharjah FC Football match at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. Discounts are also available at Hilton Al Ain, Al Ain Rotana, Ayla Bawadi Hotel and Danat Al Ain Resort as all offer a special weekend package bundle including tickets to the Air Championship.  Other great deals can be found from partners such as Al Bawadi Mall, Al Ain Mall and Etihad Airways.

Exciting prizes

As the Official Time Partner and Prize Sponsor of the Al Ain Air Championship, Breitling, will be celebrating and rewarding excellence in aerobatic style among the world's leading aerobatic pilots. Along with vying for the Grand Champion Trophy, the participants will compete for honours in each of the four main Championship Style Categories of Power, Grace, Pride and WOW Factor that will be awarded by Breitling. The Category winners will be announced as part of the main public prize giving after the Championship Finals on 19 December in front of the main grandstand. Public visitors to the exhibition who register to become an Official Fan Voter at the stand using the Championship Voting App will enter a draw to win a magnificent Breitling watch valued at over AED 48, 000.

On-Ground High-Octane Excitement at Entertainment Village

In between the spellbinding aerobatic displays up in the skies, the Al Ain Air Championship also features the biggest on-ground family entertainment extravaganza yet. The event offers an action-packed range of activities for visitors at its Entertainment Village, which will showcase a wide range of aircraft displays, interactive gaming stands, a hot air balloon light and sound show, nail-biting car drifting stunts from Red Bull's Champions Drifting hero - Ahmed Al Ameri, moto-cross demonstrations and live-music performances.

Visitors can witness the ultimate clash between the powerhouses of the sky and performance vehicles on the ground in an official Air Drag. The race will see a Mercedes AMG E63, with its 585-horse power twin-turbo V8 engine; go head-to-head against the brawn of Richard Goodwin's Pitts S2S muscle plane in a two-part match race series.

Sultan Al Dhaheri continued: "This year we have ensured that the Al Ain Air Championship has an action packed schedule of fun-filled family activities that combine the incredible sights in the sky with exciting activations on the ground. There will also be a wide selection of gourmet dining options for serving different palates through some of the UAE's famous food trucks. With all of these activities we know that the Al Ain Air Championship is a must attend event."

Visitors can enjoy meals from food trucks such as Khameer & Dough, Limeline, Dessert Chill, Gold Box, Mandilicious, Kebabs & Bunz, Calle Tacos, and Urban Bites. The event will also welcome 'rhyme and rhythm' as part of the evening activities with live music performances from New Orleans Jazz Band on 17 December, The Swing Pack on 18 December and Gari Deegan on 19 December, as well as a mix of tunes from the Red Bull DJ Trucks. Children will be as entertained as the adults with family attractions ranging from arts and crafts, to soft play areas and games.

Fun-Filled Al Ain Travel Packages

Visitors to the Al Ain Air Championship can also take advantage of its local partnerships, with the Al Ain Experience Pass, offering big discounts on Al Ain's most exciting attractions. This experience includes 2-for-1 adult entry passes to Wadi Adventure, free entry and discounted F&B at Al Ain Zoo, 30% off all facilities at Al Ain Golf Equestrian and Shooting Club and tickets to the Al Ain FC vs. Sharjah FC Football match at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Visitors can also take advantage of incredible deals with hotel partners including Hilton Al Ain, Al Ain Rotana, Ayla Bawadi Hotel and Danat Al Ain Resort, that all offer a special weekend package bundle including tickets to the Air Championship.

Additional partners for the Air Championship also promise great deals and an exciting time for visitors in Al Ain looking to find out what the city has to offer. These include Al Ain Municipality, Al Bawadi Mall, Al Ain Mall, Strata Manufacturing and Etihad Airlines.

Tickets are available at Virgin Megastores across the UAE and at TixBox booths in Al Ain at Al Bawadi and Al Ain Mall and at the Mall at the World Trade Centre in Abu Dhabi. Online purchase of tickets can be done via www.tixbox.com. On-ground tickets can be bought, with prices starting at AED 30 per day for general admission or AED 120 for a three-day pass, inclusive of reserved seating and parking access. Grandstand seating is available, priced at AED 60, as well as a limited number of VIP passes for AED 150 per day, allowing ticketholders to access the best seats on offer. Children below the age of six get in free.