DUBAI: Emirates has appointed its first-ever Emirati female captains, marking a historic milestone for the airline and a significant advancement for women in the UAE’s aviation sector.
Captains Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri have been promoted to command positions on the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet after progressing through Emirates’ National Cadet Pilot Programme and accumulating years of operational flying experience. The promotions make them the first Emirati women to attain the rank of captain in the airline’s 40-year history.
The appointments come as the Dubai-based carrier continues to expand its investment in Emirati talent and strengthen pathways for UAE nationals in highly specialised aviation roles.
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Emirates elevates two Emirati pilots to command positions
The airline confirmed that both pilots recently received their fourth captain’s stripe after serving for several years as First Officers and completing the training, operational assessments and flight-hour requirements necessary for command responsibilities.
Captain Hanan Mohammed Jawad has accumulated more than 9,200 flying hours during her aviation career, while both pilots advanced through Emirates’ structured pilot development programme established for UAE nationals.
The promotions represent a notable achievement for Emirati women in commercial aviation, a field historically dominated by men despite increasing female participation across the Gulf region.
National Cadet Pilot Programme continues to produce Emirati aviation leaders
Emirates launched its National Cadet Pilot Programme in 1993 to develop Emirati pilots through a structured training pathway that combines academic instruction, simulator training and operational flight experience. The programme has since produced pilots who have advanced into command, training and management positions within the airline and the wider UAE aviation industry.
According to Emirates, the programme remains a key component of its long-term workforce strategy, supporting future pilot requirements while increasing national participation in critical aviation functions.
Senior Emirates executive highlights commitment to Emiratisation in aviation
Hassan Alhammadi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at Emirates, said the airline remains committed to developing Emirati professionals across its operational workforce.
“At Emirates, we have always committed to developing our UAE Nationals as part of professional workforce. The cadet pilot programme remains vital in providing a path to young men and women to pursue professions as commercial pilots at Emirates,” he said.
Captain Hanan described receiving her fourth stripe as a proud milestone while emphasising that leadership in aviation is built through experience and continuous development. Captain Bakhita credited mentorship from training captains and operational leaders throughout her flying career for helping shape her technical and leadership capabilities.
Emirates strengthens women’s representation across aviation operations
The latest promotions add to a broader trend of increasing female participation across the UAE aviation industry. Emirates has previously highlighted the growing number of women serving in flight operations, engineering, maintenance and other technical functions across the organisation.
The achievement also reinforces the UAE’s wider efforts to increase women’s representation in sectors traditionally viewed as male-dominated, including aviation, aerospace, defence and advanced technology.
As of June 2026, Emirates operates a fleet of 144 Boeing 777 aircraft, alongside 116 Airbus A380s and 22 Airbus A350-900 aircraft, making it one of the world’s largest long-haul airline operators.
