Emirates promotes first Emirati female captains

Emirates has promoted two Emirati women to captain, marking a historic milestone for the airline and a significant step in its long-running effort to develop national talent in aviation.

Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri have both received their fourth stripe, officially becoming the first Emirati female captains at Emirates. Both now operate the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet.

The promotions come after years of progression through Emirates’ National Cadet Pilot Programme, which has trained and graduated hundreds of Emirati pilots since its launch in 1993.

From cadets to captains

Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the cadet pilot programme, driven by an early ambition to become a pilot. She progressed steadily through training and operational roles, supported by mentorship and fleet management teams.

She has now accumulated more than 9,000 flying hours during her career.

Speaking about her promotion, she said seeing the UAE’s first female pilot on television at the age of 14 inspired her ambition to fly.

Receiving the fourth stripe, she said, was a major milestone but not the end of her journey, describing her progression as “just the beginning” and emphasising that command experience is built over time.

She also reflected on her personal development, saying she has learned to embrace change, balance and discipline both inside and outside the cockpit, including developing new interests such as skiing and yoga.

A journey shaped by mentorship

Bakhita Al Mheiri joined Emirates as a cadet pilot in 2011, inspired by pioneering Emirati female aviators and encouraged by her passion for flying.

She said her career had been shaped strongly by mentorship from training captains and senior leaders, which helped her develop both technical skill and leadership ability.

She highlighted the importance of passing on knowledge to future pilots, saying she hopes to guide the next generation in the same way she was supported.

A milestone for Emirati aviation

Emirates said the achievement reflects its long-term investment in national talent development.

Capt Hassan Alhammadi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, said the cadet programme continues to provide a pathway for young Emiratis to join commercial aviation and progress into senior roles.

He praised both captains for their dedication and professionalism, saying their success demonstrates the airline’s ability to develop talent from entry level through to leadership.

Building future pilots

The National Cadet Pilot Programme has trained Emirati pilots for more than three decades, combining classroom instruction, simulator training and real-flight experience.

Cadets train at Emirates’ flight training facilities, gaining experience on advanced aircraft systems and under strict international safety standards before progressing into airline operations.

The programme is seen as a key pillar of Emirates’ long-term workforce strategy, designed to support both the airline’s future pilot needs and the broader development of the UAE aviation sector.