Year of the family

The initiative ties in with the UAE's Year of the Family and reflects SCAD's commitment to strengthening family bonds and helping staff balance work and home life through initiatives that bring employees and their families together. The department says this kind of engagement builds a supportive, motivating workplace that boosts staff wellbeing and their sense of belonging to the organisation. The event was also pitched as a way to make good use of the summer break, giving children a memorable, hands-on introduction to different careers and specialisms and to the world their parents work in within the aviation sector.

Age group-tailored activities

Staff members' children took part across three age groups, with activities and programmes designed to suit the interests and levels of understanding of each stage. The day opened with a welcome for the children, followed by a series of workshops run in partnership with the Sharjah Museums Authority, alongside guided tours that included visits to parents' offices — giving children a first-hand look at the jobs their mothers and fathers do.

A taste of life on board

The event also featured an experience recreating the atmosphere of a flight, with meals served to the children and young people in partnership with Alpha, the company that handles in-flight catering services at Sharjah Airport, styled on what passengers are served during actual flights. The day wrapped up with aviation-themed giveaways and souvenirs, rounding off an experience that combined learning and entertainment and left children with a positive impression of the aviation world and the opportunities it holds for their future.