Two jet aircraft performed stunts over Dubai Marina on Sunday, in a display that had residents squinting at the sky and covering their ears.
The duo flew low over the harbour and Palm Jumeirah for about 20 minutes from 2pm.
The jets performed half a dozen passes, leaving contrails in the sky, together with sudden dives and climbs.
The display was not announced to the public and its purpose was not clear.
However, in the past, the authorities have recorded spectacular flyovers for use in promotional material.
It was unclear if the two aircraft were from the Al Fursan aerobatics team, which typically flies in a formation of seven – one for each of the emirates.
But the jets did resemble the black and gold Italian-built Aermacchi MB-339NAT jets flown by the Al Fursan team.
In 2018, Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia performed a spectacular flyby over the Marina and Palm Jumeirah that saw 11 aircraft in formation.
Two Airbus A380s and two Boeing 737s were accompanied by the seven Al Fursan jets.
The footage was later used as a promotional campaign that ran around UAE National Day and a winter tourism drive.
Al Fursan in action for National Day - in pictures
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The Al Fursan UAE Air Force aerobatic display team participate at a reception held for His Holiness Pope Francis, Head of the Catholic Church, at the Presidential Palace. Saeed Al Neyadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
The Al Fursan aerobatic demonstration lights up the skyline of Abu Dhabi on December 2, 2018. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National -
The team performs during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2018. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Fursan performs during the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2019. Victor Besa / The National -
Al Fursan fly over Al Kuwait Hospital in Dubai to salute frontliners fighting the Covid-19 pandemic in June, 2020. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Al Fursan performs over the Abu Dhabi Corniche to mark the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Wam -
Al Fursan perform at the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Victor Besa / The National
