The Royal Commission for Al-Ula Governorate and Saudi Airlines announced the launch of the “Sky Museum” flight from Riyadh to Al-Ula, to be the first flying museum in the world. The world’s first “Museum in the Sky” is a joint collaboration between AlUla and SAUDIA Airlines, to highlight the significance of AlUla as a living museum, with only a small fraction of archaeological sites identified currently being investigated.
The flight will take off from Riyadh to AlUla on the 4th of November 2021. Onboard the flying museum, a replica collection of artefacts discovered in AlUla during excavations by archaeologists reveals some of the mysteries of AlUla’s ancient civilizations.
SAUDIA is also using the opportunity to launch their new In-Flight Entertainment System (IFE), Discover Saudi Arabia, on which passengers will be encouraged to watch the Discovery Channel documentary movie – Architects of Ancient Arabia – a 2021 release full-length documentary movie produced by PowderHouse revealing that some of human civilization’s first building blocks were set in place in AlUla.
An introduction to the documentary will be provided by Archaeologist, Dr. Rebecca Foote, the Director of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Research at The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). As well as introducing the documentary that she appears in, Rebecca will offer an explanation about the artefact museum pieces and passengers will have an opportunity to ask questions.
Dr. Rebecca Foote said: “There is an extraordinary volume of work ongoing in AlUla by both local and international archaeological teams, and yet we are only just beginning to understand the complexity of AlUla’s past. AlUla is a true hidden gem in the Arabian Peninsula, and we are slowly revealing its secrets. I am looking forward to sharing more about our work with the passengers onboard SAUDIA’s Museum in the Sky.
AlUla is offering a wide range of all-year-round and seasonal activities to welcome both domestic and international visitors over the coming months.
Guests on the Museum in the Sky will have the opportunity to book some of the first tickets to the new Hegra After Dark experience. This new progressive evening event in the World Heritage Site welcomes guests to enjoy the silence and have a taste of AlUla with light refreshments served in a candlelit setting, enjoy the popular living immersion theatre performance, Queen Shuqailath, and end with a stargazing experience surrounded by the stunning Nabataean works of art.
Under the banner of AlUla Moments, musical events kicked off at the end of last month, with famous musical artist Hiba Tawaji. A new program of four distinct festivals commences from the 21st of December 2021 including the 3rd Winter at Tantora, AlUla Skies, AlUla Arts, and AlUla Wellness Festival.
In addition, visitors will enjoy a wide variety of new culinary experiences such as Maraya Social by Chef Jason Atherton, the return of Annabel’s.
Equestrian events will include the eagerly awaited new haute couture horse fashion event, the return of the competitive Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Endurance Race and AlUla Desert Polo.
Guests from all over the world can book special rate packages in AlUla that include flights, accommodations, and activities through www.saudiaholidays.com