Emirates promotes UAE's first female commander Emirates Emirates has promoted two female pilots to the role of aircraft captain in a first for the airline. Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri became the first UAE women to achieve this position in the company. This year, the two officially received the fourth stripe — symbol of the rank of commander — and became part of the company's group of commanders, operating Boeing 777 aircraft. 🗒️ Do you have any reporting suggestions? Send it to g1 Hanan and Bakhita built their entire professional careers at Emirates. The duo joined the company through the National Pilot Cadet Program, an initiative created to train Emirati citizens for careers in commercial aviation. Hanan joined the program in 2008. Her interest in the profession arose as a teenager, when she first saw a female pilot from the United Arab Emirates on television. "When I was 14, I saw the UAE's first female pilot on TV and was impressed by her confidence and presence. From that moment on, all I wanted was to become a pilot," she said. Women earn 21% less than men in Brazil Throughout his career, Hanan accumulated 9,253 flight hours and gradually advanced until he took command. "Receiving my fourth badge is a milestone that fills me with pride, but I don't see it as the final destination. This is just the beginning, and I believe the sky is the limit. The path to command is built over time, and my years as a first officer have prepared me for this moment," he said. Bakhita Al Mheiri began her career at Emirates in 2011. Inspired by Emirati women who already worked in aviation, she pursued a career with the company until reaching the rank of commander. “My journey at Emirates has been profoundly influenced by the mentorship and guidance I have received from exceptional instructor captains and leaders throughout my flying and commanding journey,” he said. "With the opportunity and responsibility given to me as captain, I hope to carry forward the same values ​​and mentorship that have been entrusted to me, and support and mentor younger generations who are beginning their own aviation journey." Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri are graduates of the National Cadet Pilot Program (NCPP) Emirates Pilot training The two commanders are graduates of the National Cadet Pilot Program (NCPP), an initiative launched in 1993 and fully financed by the Emirates Group. The program offers comprehensive training at the Emirates Flight Training Academy, including theoretical training, flight practice, use of advanced technology and training based on rigorous safety standards. Participants also undergo training at the company's new pilot training center. Over more than three decades, the program has trained Emirati pilots who have subsequently taken on captain, flight instructor and leadership roles at Emirates and other aviation organizations in the UAE. According to Captain Hassan Alhammadi, senior vice president of Flight Operations at Emirates, the initiative continues to be important to train professionals capable of meeting the company's future needs. "We are immensely proud of Hanan and Bakhita for becoming Emirates' first female Emirati captains, a well-deserved achievement that reflects years of dedication, professionalism and hard work," he said. The promotion of the two pilots is part of the Emirates Group's Emiratization strategy, which seeks to increase the participation of UAE citizens in different areas of the company through training, professional development and leadership programs. In a message to future generations of pilots, Hanan and Bakhita highlighted the growth of female participation in the sector. "Our leadership has long recognized women as essential partners in building our nation's future, and Emirates is creating the environment and opportunities for women to thrive. We will continue to build on this for generations to come," they said.