Two daredevil stuntmen have treated Dubai residents to a world-first aerial display, tearing through the skies above the Emirate at breakneck speed powered by jetpacks, organisers said Tuesday.

Swiss aviator Yves Rossy, who goes by the name Jetman, and French parachutist Vince Reffet soared in tandem above landmarks including the Burj Khalifa and the Palm Jumeirah aided by carbon-fibre wings, a video of the stunt showed.  

"Yves' and Vince's flights over Dubai will help them further develop the Jetman wing and implement technological changes to advance their dream for human flight," a statement from the organisers said.

Rossy, who has already used his jetpack prototype to cross the English Channel and fly over the Grand Canyon and Rio de Janeiro, said the latest display "was the culmination of over 20 years of innovation".

It "has resulted in achieving my personal dream to fly free, soaring through the sky," he said in a statement.
Source: AFP