The “world-renowned” heliport located at Burj al Arab celebrates its 25th anniversary.
The financial and construction sector had not yet reached its peak. The city had not yet gained recognition as a hub for the wealthy and influential. At that time, the tallest structure was the first skyscraper built in Dubai : the World Trade Centerculminating at a height of 149 meters.
That year, British architecture firm Atkins Global was approached by the office of the ruler of Dubai with a mission to design a building that would leave an indelible mark on the global community, linking the country to the United Arab Emirates. In essence, they wanted to put the Emirates on the global map.
Simon Crispe, Atkins’ managing director for the Middle East at the time, recalls being tasked with providing the Emirates with a visual symbol of meaning, similar to the Sydney Opera House for Australia or the Eiffel Tower for France.
An international team of architects spent the next seven years in secret formulating the concept of an artificial island and constructing a 321-metre-high building.
The Burj al Arab (meaning “Arab Tower” in Arabic) opened in 1999, becoming an attraction for the international elite. It is now synonymous with opulence, from the luxurious suites to the rare marine species housed in the aquarium.
However, it is one feature that has contributed the most to the Burj’s reputation.
Bird’s eye view
At 212 metres above sea level, the hotel boasts a helicopter that protrudes dangerously from the building’s sail-like structure.
According to Anthony Costa, former general manager of the Burj al Arab, who shared his experience with CNN in 2019, the main challenge was ensuring the structural strength of the helipad while respecting the overall architectural design of the hotel. The helipad, which is 27 meters wide, can support a maximum weight of 7.5 tons.
“The helipad had to meet both structural and landing safety requirements,” Crispe told CNN in 2019. “We sought to minimize the visibility of the supporting metal structure, wanting it to appear to ‘float.'”
The helipad primarily serves as a luxury concierge service for guests, who can choose to be picked up from the airport in a Rolls Royce or take a helicopter transfer. This air transport option is one of the hotel’s most popular, according to Costa, with many passengers and monthly helicopter departures.
Legendary exploits
Beyond its primary function, the heliport is famous for its death-defying and simply breathtaking stunts.
The Swiss tennis player Roger Federer started the trend in 2005 by playing an exhibition match against Andre Agassi on a makeshift court, filmed from a helicopter. Federer returned to the helipad in 2012, this time in partnership with Novak Djokovic.
The helipad has even been transformed into a mini-golf course for golf legends like Tiger Woods et Rory McIlroy can play over the Persian Gulf.
In 2017, the helipad hosted a makeshift boxing ring for British boxer Anthony Joshua is training.
The most daring stunt to date occurred in 2013, when a Formula 1 racing car was hoisted onto the helipad, allowing David Coulthard to perform “doughnuts” on a custom surface. Atkins engineers were again called in to ensure the show could be performed safely.
Since then, the helipad has become a hub for thrill seekers and stuntmen, hosting record-breaking kitesurfing jumps, BMX stunts and skydives. In 2023, Polish pilot Lukasz Czepiela made aviation history by becoming the first person to land a plane on the Burj Al Arab’s helipad.
Many other stunts are rejected, according to Costa: “Each proposed stunt is subject to a thorough evaluation of logistical, safety and feasibility aspects before being implemented.”
Wedding venue
The stunts have propelled the helipad into international limelight, but the hotel has also found safer ways to experience it.
Since 2014, the helipad has been available for ceremonies coordinated by a specialist “wedding architect,” with a starting price of $55,000, although some events have cost millions of dollars.
The venue is also reserved for extravagant private parties with customizable decorations. Costa’s favorite moment on the helipad is a 50th birthday party in 2018:
“We repainted the helipad so it said ‘Happy Birthday’ with her name, which she could see from the helicopter when it landed,” he said.
Such events and expenditures may seem frivolous, but as a symbol of Dubai’s grandeur and spectacle, there is a responsibility to maintain these lavish occasions.
According to Costa, the Burj al Arab events “contribute to the elevation of Dubai and its reputation for offering unforgettable experiences.”
Government departments often collaborate with the hotel to host events at the helipad and use it heavily in advertising campaigns.
The Burj al Arab was originally designed to put Dubai and the United Arab Emirates on the world map.
A quarter of a century after its inauguration, this goal has been achieved – thanks in large part to the world’s most famous heliport.
After the Burj al Arab’s grand opening in 1999, it quickly became a magnet for the international elite, offering luxurious experiences such as helicopter transfers to guests.
