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UAE seeks partnership with Virgin Galactic to launch spaceflights

UAE seeks partnership with Virgin Galactic to launch spaceflights
Virgin Galactic launched its SpaceShipTwo plane to space in a trial flight in February

Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: The UAE Space Agency is negotiating with Richard Branson's space tourism company Virgin Galactic to operate business space flights for tourists from Al Ain International Airport.

The partnership deal was confirmed by UAE Space Agency’s director Mohammad Al Ahbabi, Arabian Business reported on Sunday.

In February, the spaceflight company owned partly by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Group launched its SpaceShipTwo plane above the Mojave Desert in California during a trial flight, carrying the first passenger to space, Beth Moses, with the plane’s two pilots.   

After conducting several successful test flights, the world’s first business space agency Virgin Galactic selected Al Ain airport to launch new space flights as “it is less crowded than other UAE airports, which are scheduled with thousands of flights,” Al Ahbabi added.

In 2010, Abu Dhabi-based Aabar Investments, currently managed by Mubadala, acquired a 31.8% stake in Virgin Galactic.

Al Ain airport has been used by Airbus and similar aircraft manufacturers for hot weather testing due to its relatively quiet runways and dry conditions.