The transformation of the old rest house into a museum further underlines the continuity between past and present. When Sharjah International Airport opened in 1977, the original site ceased to function as an active airport, but its heritage value was later recognized. After extensive restoration, the site was reopened in 2000 as Al Mahatta Museum. Since then, it has stood as a cultural treasure, offering not only a glimpse into the history of the Emirates’ hospitality and aviation industries but also a reminder of how a modest guesthouse in 1932 laid the foundation for the UAE’s rise as a global hub of tourism and air travel.
