Aerial light show provider AO Drones found a unique way to say “Thank You” from above to Dubai’s COVID workers for their heroism during the pandemic.

The June event included a drone-based light show as well as an aerial film depicting emergency vehicles arranged on the ground to spell out “Thank You” in English and Arabic. Since then, the film as blown up on social media.

AO Drones producer Marco Niedermeier created the event, calling on friends from other Dubai event-production companies as well as collaborating local police agencies.

“Everybody was keen to be involved,” Niedermeier said. “We all wanted to say thank you.”

Due to Dubai’s COVID lockdown, producers and government officials had to plan the event via video conferencing.

An AO Drones spokesperson notes the event included:

“[A]erial shots of messages of support spelled out on iconic Dubai landmarks including the Burj Khalifa, before following the emergency vehicles along the Sheikh Zayed Road – closed to public traffic for the occasion – to converge on the show site. The film culminated with spectacular aerial views of the ‘Thank You’ messages on the ground, and the grand finale of AO Drones’ aerial display, performed by a fleet of 120 precisely-choreographed drones.”

Social Distancing

In addition to drone light displays depicting top government officials, the show also formed messages promoting safety practices – face masks, hand washing and social distancing.

“Finally, the drones formed the ‘#StrongerTogether’ motto, introduced by … Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“It was amazing to see the reactions of the people,” Niedermeier said. “Most of them had not seen a drone show before. When the drones came up, it was a wow moment.”

Replacing Fireworks?

Given the dangers posed from incendiary fireworks – injuries, fire and pollution – some venues are turning to drone shows as a better solution.

In January, Verge Aero produced a drone light show in Mexico. Working with partner Sky Precision, Verge Aero launched an array of 150 drone-mounted lights, creating dancing, multi-color images in the sky during the Festival Internacional del Globo hot-air balloon festival to celebrate Día de Muertos.

In 2018, Travis Air Force Base replaced its traditional fireworks display with a drone light show presented by Intel.