World Air Games take over Dubai skies - in pictures

The Al Fursan aerobatic team flies over Dubai Media City as part of the World Air Games in Dubai. Jon Gambrell / AP Photo

Hot air balloons fly over Dubai during the World Air Games 2015, held under the rules of the Federation Aeronautique International (FAI) as part of the Dubai International Balloon Fiesta event. Karim Sahib / AFP

The World Air Games at the Dropzone on Palm Jumeriah, Dubai. Christopher Pike / The National

Paraguilder Ragolski Francois, 28, of France takes a practice run and leap just after an aerobatic team raced by at the World Air Games in Dubai. Jon Gambrell / AP Photo

Al Fursan, the Air Force aerobatics demonstration team performs at the Dropzone on Palm Jumeriah in Dubai. Christopher Pike / The National

Spectators at the World Air Games at SkyDive Dubai in Dubai. Christopher Pike / The National

Could there be a better city in the world to hold a competition in the skies than Dubai?

As these images show, the combination of clear winter skies and a stunning backdrop that includes the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Khalifa suggests that the home of some of the most exciting architecture was born to host the World Air Games.

For those unfamiliar with the competition – it has been held only three times, and not since 2009 – it could be described as the aerial Olympics.

Created by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, athletes compete in sports ranging from aerobatics and hot-air ballooning to gliding and parachuting.

There is even a category for aeromodeling – better known as model aircraft. The Games, like any test of skill that defies gravity, are not without risk, as the crash of a gyrocopter last week showed.

First held in Turkey in 1997, the Games last took place in Italy in 2009. Plans for the competition in Denmark four years ago were abandoned after the host city of Odense withdrew. In Dubai, however, the World Air Games seems to have found its groove.