Post by : Badri Ariffin

Emirates has reached a landmark moment in aviation with the promotion of Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri, marking them as the first Emirati women to captain the airline's Boeing 777 fleet.

This significant achievement underscores Emirates' dedication to empowering Emirati women and nurturing local talent through its National Cadet Pilot Programme (NCPP), which has successfully trained numerous Emirati pilots since its inception in 1993.

Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the NCPP. Inspired by her passion for flying and a childhood dream, she steadily moved up through the ranks with the help of Emirates' exceptional training and fleet management initiatives, amassing a total of 9,253 flight hours.

Reflecting on her promotion, Hanan shared that she was motivated at just 14 years old after witnessing the UAE’s first female pilot. She considers her new captaincy a proud achievement, yet sees it merely as the start of her ongoing journey. Her years as a First Officer provided valuable experience that prepared her for her new leadership responsibilities.

Furthermore, Hanan highlighted her personal development through various activities like skiing, yoga, and Pilates, which have helped sharpen her focus, discipline, and balance—qualities essential for her role as a captain.

Bakhita Al Mheiri embarked on her aviation career with Emirates in 2011 as a cadet pilot. Inspired by successful women in the sector, she has reached significant points in her journey, ultimately rising to the rank of captain.

Bakhita credits the invaluable mentorship and support from Emirates' training captains and aviation leaders for her technical growth, leadership skills, and commitment to lifelong learning. She also aims to guide emerging female pilots as they begin their aviation journeys.

In a shared message to future female pilots, both Hanan and Bakhita acknowledged the UAE's leadership for recognizing the crucial role of women in building the nation. They emphasized that Emirates continues to forge paths for women to thrive within the aviation landscape.

Capt Hassan Alhammadi, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, congratulated both women on their historic accomplishment. He affirmed the airline's commitment to developing Emirati talent through focused training and career nurturing, highlighting how the promotion reflects years of commitment and excellence.

Since 1993, the National Cadet Pilot Programme by Emirates has been a fully-funded initiative aimed at training Emirati pilots. Its graduates now serve as captains, training pilots, and leaders across the aviation sector in the UAE. The program offers cutting-edge flight training at Emirates' Flight Training Academy, paving the way for long-term aviation careers.

The captaincy of Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri not only represents a monumental achievement for Emirates but also acts as an inspiring beacon for future generations of Emirati pilots to chase their dreams in aviation.

#Global News #Dubai News #UAE News #World Update