First global solar flight to start and end in UAE

The fuel-less aircraft, Solar Impulse 2, which was unveiled by the duo in Switzerland on Wednesday, will be manned by just one pilot for five consecutive days and nights. The solar aircraft aims to raise awareness about the need to adopt renewable energy to solve many of the world’s problems, including climate change.

Andre Borschberg and Dr Bertrand Piccard flew the world’s first solar plane, Solar Impulse 1, in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

“I come quite often to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and have participated in several World Future Energy Summits. I have always been impressed by the pioneering spirit of the UAE,” Piccard told Gulf News on Wednesday from Payerne in Switzerland before unveiling Solar Impulse 2, the single-seater solar aircraft.