During the 1930s, commercial aviation was in its early stages and aircraft lacked the range to complete long journeys without multiple stops. To connect Europe with India and the Far East, the British airline Imperial Airways needed reliable stations along its routes. The Arabian Gulf was a natural corridor, and Sharjah was chosen as a strategic stopover due to its coastal location and accessibility. The decision to establish facilities there reflected both geographical advantage and the Emirate’s emerging importance in the global map of air travel.
