Emirates has revealed the engineering and craftsmanship behind a striking 2.4-metre illuminated Arsenal crest, created entirely in-house by its engineering team to celebrate the airline’s longstanding partnership with the English football club.
The sculpture, which now stands at the Directors Box and Diamond Club entrance at Emirates Stadium, was designed and built over 34 days by a team of 15 engineers at Emirates Engineering.
Following its unveiling last week, Emirates has released behind-the-scenes footage showing how aviation materials were transformed into one of football’s most recognisable emblems through a combination of precision engineering, craftsmanship and specialist fabrication.
The project saw engineers clean, cut, curve, machine, rivet, assemble and paint aviation-grade materials to create the illuminated Arsenal crest.
Interestingly, the sculpture incorporates components originally used in aircraft cargo operations. These include cargo tracks, floor panels and roller components, which were repurposed to provide structure and form for the iconic emblem.
Once construction was completed in Dubai, the crest embarked on a carefully planned journey to London. Emirates SkyCargo transported the oversized and delicate sculpture from Dubai to London Stansted aboard a freighter.
The sculpture was first secured inside a custom-built protective crate before being handed over to Emirates SkyCargo specialists, who managed its transportation and handling throughout the journey.
Emirates said its cargo division drew on decades of experience transporting specialised and delicate shipments, ranging from advanced technology to ancient artefacts, to ensure the one-of-a-kind installation arrived safely and in pristine condition.
The project highlights the connection between Emirates’ aviation expertise and its global sports partnerships, with the airline using materials and engineering capabilities from its aviation operations to create a permanent symbol of its relationship with Arsenal.
The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest is now positioned at the entrance to the Directors Box and Diamond Club at Emirates Stadium, where it serves as a visible representation of the partnership between the airline and the football club.
The unveiling also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people and technical processes involved in turning aircraft components into a large-scale work of sporting art.
From its fabrication in Dubai to its specialised air cargo journey and final installation in London, the project brought together the expertise of Emirates Engineering and Emirates SkyCargo to create a unique tribute to one of football’s most recognisable clubs.
