Emirati Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, returned home to the UAE on Monday, 18 September, after completing six months aboard the International Space Station. He returned to Earth on 4 September and was in a recovery programme in Houston, Texas. And now, the Emirati hero has returned to UAE and was received by his father, Saif Al Neyadi and his children during a homecoming reception at the new Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A.
Upon arrival, he received a grand welcome from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler Of Dubai, at Abu Dhabi International Airport Terminal A. At the homecoming reception, Sultan Al Neyadi gifted the UAE flag he carried to space to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Sultan Al Neyadi took to X, formerly known as Twitter and posted about his return to the UAE. In the post, he said, "Over the past 6 months, I have carried the UAE in my heart. Now, I am back in the heart of our nation. I return as a son to present the flag of our nation to @MohamedBinZayed and @HHShkMohd. I return to a land full of ambition to continue our journey of exploration together."
Iconic buildings in Abu Dhabi, The Adnoc headquarters, Mubadala Tower, Khalifa University and Marina Mall's observation tower lit up to celebrate Sultan Al Neyadi's homecoming. Abu Dhabi media office took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the video.
Besides in Dubai, passengers arriving at Dubai airports receive a stamp to celebrate the return of Sultan Al Neyadi. On 18 and 19 September, the slogan “The Return of the Hero Sultan Al Neyadi” will be stamped inside passports to celebrate Sultan Al Neyadi's welcome and achievements.