Dubai is home to a new Guinness World Record after a giant UAE flag-shaped banner measuring nearly 430 square metres was lifted from a vehicle-mounted pole. The record was achieved by Emirati adventurer Ahmed Al Shehhi and Yahya Saeed Lootah as a tribute to the UAE and its leadership.
There is no shortage of world records in Dubai, but this latest achievement carries a special meaning.
A giant UAE flag-shaped banner has officially secured a Guinness World Record after becoming the largest banner ever lifted from a pole by a vehicle. The remarkable feat was led by Emirati adventurer Ahmed Hassan Al Shehhi and Yahya Saeed Lootah, who transformed a simple idea into a record-breaking tribute to the nation.
Raised against Dubai’s desert backdrop on April 23, the enormous red, green, white and black banner quickly caught attention online. Weeks later, Guinness World Records confirmed the achievement and awarded the official certificate on June 5.
More than just another world record, the project was designed to celebrate the UAE’s spirit of unity, pride and ambition.
How a conversation between friends led to a world record?
The idea started during discussions between Ahmed Al Shehhi, Yahya Lootah and Nasser Lootah at a time when many people across the country were looking for ways to express their pride in the UAE.
Inspired by the “Proud of UAE” campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the group wanted to create something meaningful that would reflect the country’s values and bring people together.
What began as a conversation soon developed into a large-scale project. The goal was simple: create a tribute to the UAE flag unlike anything seen before.
Speaking about the journey, Al Shehhi said the response from his team was immediate. Once the idea was shared, everyone committed to making it happen.
The engineering behind the giant UAE flag
Creating a banner large enough to break a world record was no easy task.
The finished flag measured an impressive 429.977 square metres and required careful planning, engineering expertise and logistical coordination. To lift the giant structure, the team used an International MXT truck fitted with a specially designed pole measuring around 30 metres in length and 15 metres in height.
One of the biggest challenges was finding a location capable of safely accommodating the attempt. The team eventually selected the runway area at Skydive Dubai, where the open surroundings provided the perfect setting.
Despite the scale of the project, work moved quickly. Planning and construction began on April 13, and the entire operation was completed within days before the successful record attempt.
Why does this achievement mean more than a world record?
For many residents, the giant UAE flag represented far more than a Guinness World Record.
The project arrived at a time when national pride and unity continue to play an important role in everyday life across the Emirates. Whether during National Day celebrations, community initiatives or major national events, the UAE flag remains a powerful symbol that brings people together.
The record-breaking banner reflected that same spirit. It celebrated the country’s achievements while highlighting the strong connection many citizens and residents feel towards the UAE and its leadership.
Dubai has built a reputation for turning ambitious ideas into reality, and this latest achievement adds another memorable chapter to that story.
Meet the Emirati behind the record
Ahmed Al Shehhi is no stranger to pushing limits.
The 38-year-old Emirati is widely recognised as the UAE’s first jet suit pilot and one of the country’s leading aerial sports athletes. With this latest accomplishment, he now holds nine Guinness World Records.
Most of his records are linked to skydiving, wingsuit flying and extreme aerial adventures. Over the years, he has completed several high-profile jumps, including multiple descents from Burj Khalifa for filming projects.
In 2025, he also made headlines after completing a base jump from Burj Khalifa while wearing a traditional Emirati kandura during the XDubai EXIT139 event.
Al Shehhi has often spoken about the encouragement he received from His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crediting that support as one of the reasons he continued pursuing increasingly ambitious challenges.
What’s next for Ahmed Al Shehhi?
While the Guinness World Record is now secured, Al Shehhi is already looking ahead.
His future goals include exploring new possibilities in wingsuit flying and continuing to represent the UAE on the global stage through record-breaking projects.
He also hopes his journey encourages young Emiratis to believe in their ideas and pursue goals that may seem impossible at first.
For him, the record is proof that determination, teamwork, and a clear vision can turn even the boldest concepts into reality.
FAQ’s
Q: What Guinness World Record did Dubai recently achieve?
A: Dubai set a Guinness World Record for the largest banner ever lifted from a pole by a vehicle. The banner was designed in the shape of the UAE flag and measured 429.977 square metres.
Q: Who achieved the record?
A: Emirati adventurer Ahmed Hassan Al Shehhi and Yahya Saeed Lootah were behind the successful record attempt.
Q: Where was the giant UAE flag raised?
A: The banner was raised at Skydive Dubai’s runway area, which provided enough open space for the large-scale operation.
Q: How many Guinness World Records does Ahmed Al Shehhi hold?
A: Following this achievement, Ahmed Al Shehhi now holds nine Guinness World Records.
Q: Why was the project created?
A: The giant banner was created as a tribute to the UAE, its leadership and its people while promoting national pride and unity.
Dubai continues to show why it remains a city where bold ideas can become reality. While the Guinness World Record is an impressive achievement, the giant UAE flag stands as something even more meaningful — a symbol of pride, unity and the limitless ambition that defines the UAE.
Source: Gulf News
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