Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the cadet pilot programme, driven by ambition, passion, and a lifelong dream of taking to the skies. With strong mentorship and continued support from the airline’s fleet management, she steadily progressed through the ranks, building her career from the ground up.

Bakhita Al Mheiri began her journey with Emirates as a cadet pilot in 2011. Inspired by successful Emirati female pilots and driven by her passion for flying, Bakhita continued to achieve one milestone after another, building a strong and successful career with Emirates.

Hanan and Bakhita have both officially received their fourth stripe this year, becoming the first Emirati female captains at Emirates, both operating the Boeing 777 fleet. With many years of experience in their respective careers, they both reflect a determination as strong as ever, and their ambitions continue to reach new heights.

Hanan has accumulated a total of 9,253 flying hours throughout her journey as a pilot. Speaking about her promotion, Hanan said: “When I was 14, I saw the UAE’s first female pilot on TV and was struck by her confidence and presence. From that point on, all I wanted was to become a pilot.”

Receiving my fourth stripe is a proud milestone, but I don’t see it as the destination. This is just the beginning, I don’t believe the sky is the limit. The path to command is built over time, and my years as a First Officer prepared me for this moment.”

Hanan also reflected on how she’s grown, both professionally and personally, throughout her journey “You change as you grow, and that’s a strength. When I was younger, I loved drawing and reading. Today, I challenge myself in new ways. I’ve recently started skiing and I’m still a beginner, I enjoy being in that learning space. Balance matters to me now. I’ve moved from intense gym training to practices that build focus and calm yoga - aerial yoga, Pilates, and reformer. They support the clarity, discipline, and presence my role demands.”

On her personal and professional growth shaped by the mentorship at Emirates, Bakhita said: “My journey at Emirates has been deeply influenced by the mentorship and guidance I received from exceptional training captains and leaders throughout my flying and command journey. Their experience, professionalism, and willingness to share knowledge and experience not only strengthened my technical and leadership skills but also shaped me personally by teaching me the value of responsibility, discipline, and continuous learning. One of the most meaningful lessons I gained throughout this journey was the importance of passing knowledge and experience forward. With the opportunity and responsibility I have been given as a captain, I hope to carry forward the same values and mentorship that were invested in me, and to support and guide the younger generations beginning their own flying journey, so they too can continue contributing to the future and success of the UAE.”

A message from Hanan and Bakhita to the next generation of aspiring female pilots: “Our leadership has long recognised women as essential partners in shaping our nation's future, and Emirates is creating the environment and opportunities for women to thrive, and we will continue to build on this for future generations.” 

Commenting on the airline’s commitment to developing Emirati talent, Capt Hassan Alhammadi, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations said: “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, supporting our future pilot requirements.

We are immensely proud of Hanan and Bakhita for becoming Emirates’ first Emirati female captains, a well-deserved achievement that reflects years of dedication, professionalism, and hard work, and underscores the airline’s ability to nurture Emirati talent from entry level through to the highest leadership roles.”

About the National Cadet Pilot Programme (NCPP)

Launched in 1993, the NCPP is a fully funded initiative by the Emirates Group and has so far graduated many Emirati pilots, including Hanan and Bakhita. These pilots have moved on to become captains, training pilots, and senior leaders at Emirates and across the UAE aviation industry. This demonstrates the airline’s ability to foster long-term career growth and progression for Emiratis.

The programme offers comprehensive flight training at Emirates’ Flight Training Academy, combining world-class instruction, advanced technology, and rigorous safety standards. From foundational theory to hands-on flying experience, cadets are guided through every stage of their journey, preparing them for long-term careers as professional pilots with Emirates and for other air carriers. Cadets also experience robust training at Emirates’ new pilot training centre as part of the programme.

For more information: https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/search-and-apply/134

The Emirates Group’s Emiratisation strategy

The Emirates Group's Emiratisation strategy focuses on building a sustainable national workforce through structured career pathways, world-class training, and continuous development. Programmes such as the National Cadet Pilot Programme, leadership initiatives, and graduate schemes nurture Emirati talent from early career through to senior roles. Mentorship and exposure to global best practices ensure Emiratis are equipped to thrive in a competitive aviation environment, supporting both the Group's growth and the UAE's long-term vision.

Effective 1 August, the following UAE National commercial leaders will take on new roles:

• Jaber Mohamed, currently Country Manager Bangladesh, will become Country Manager Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
• Talal Al Gergawi, currently Country Manager Zimbabwe, will become Country Manager Bangladesh.
• Salem Almana, currently Regional Manager Pakistan, will become Country Manager Ghana.
• Omar Bushlaibi, currently Country Manager Zambia, will assume interim responsibility for Zimbabwe, alongside his ongoing duties in Zambia.

The latest rotations are part of Emirates' commercial outstation managers programme, designed to offer UAE Nationals unique opportunities to diversify their leadership skills and deepen their knowledge of local markets within the airline’s network. The programme also helps Emirati managers further expand their networks by engaging with local industry and government stakeholders, fostering new partnerships and strengthening existing relationships.

Emirates is committed to the UAE’s Emiratisation strategy and continues to create opportunities for UAE Nationals to progress their careers and actively contribute to the organisation’s growth ambitions, while allowing them to play important roles in advancing the UAE's aviation industry and economy.

The rotation will enable seasoned outstation managers, including six UAE Nationals, to further enhance Emirates’ commercial capabilities in their respective markets by bringing in their expertise during a pivotal period of growth and expansion for the airline.  

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer commented: “Our long-serving commercial managers have played integral roles in Emirates’ global operations over the years, and today’s appointments demonstrate our confidence in their continued contributions to strengthen our business across the GCC and Africa.

I wish the commercial managers all the success in their new roles and have full confidence in their ability to further thrive as Emirates’ ambassadors in our outstations.”

From1 October, the following commercial managers will assume these roles:

• Abdulla Adnan: Formerly Manager Tanzania, will become Manager Morocco
• Cathrine Wesley: Formerly Country Manager Ghana and Ivory Coast, will become Manager Algeria
• Fahad Al Hassawi: Formerly  Manager Oman, will become District Manager Dharan and KSA Eastern Province
• Khalfan Al Salami: Formerly  Manager Morocco, will become Manager Kuwait and Iraq
• Omar Alhemeiri: Formerly  Manager Algeria, will become Manager Tanzania
• Saood Al Aqili: Formerly  District Manager Dharan and KSA Eastern Province, will become Country Manager Ghana

Emirates is also pleased to announce the promotion of Khalid Al Zarooni, currently Manager Kuwait and Iraq, to Emirates’ Vice President, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

National Commercial Outstation Programme

Emirates places competent and ambitious UAE talent in key leadership positions across markets in its network through the National Commercial Outstation Programme, equipping them with unmatched industry knowledge and world-class skills that allow them to contribute to the airline’s growth ambitions. The programme further aims to develop a strong pipeline of future Emirati leaders, fully capable of supporting the Emirates Group’s global businesses and the UAE aviation sector.

Dubai, UAE, 28 August 2024: The Emirates Group is proud to celebrate the contributions of Emirati women, and the vital work they do to advance excellence across aviation and travel in the UAE. Watch the video that highlights the diverse careers of talented Emirati women across the Emirates Group.

Emirati women are forging their career paths across a variety of business functions at the Emirates Group and building the foundations for a talent pipeline to support the next generation of aviation professionals. Approximately 38% of the Group’s Emirati workforce consists of women, and in the last financial year, the organisation welcomed a record number of Emirati women to its workforce. This further reinforces the Emirates Group’s commitment to integrating Emirati women in the UAE’s growing aviation sector, where they are empowered with the right skills, competencies and expertise, allowing them to thrive and reach their full potential.

The Emirates Group also marked another milestone this year, achieving 20% growth over the previous year for the number of Emirati women appointed in leadership roles. Today, more than 200 Emirati women hold leadership positions in the organisation, contributing to growth across a gamut of business functions. In March 2024, the Emirates Group announced the promotion of five Emirati female leaders to senior executive roles in key Human Resources and Commercial Support departments.

From senior executives to outstation managers and even heads of departments, the Group continues to equip Emirati women with industry-leading resources to hone their leadership skills and grow their career prospects. Over the last 20 years, the Emirates Group has provided mentorship and training programmes for Emirati female professionals to boost their professional growth and career mobility with access to leadership programmes including the Rolls-Royce and Airbus Leadership Programmes, GE Aviation Programme, among others. Emirati females in leadership positions at the Emirates Group also have the opportunity to enrol in the INSEAD Women Leaders Programme, empowering them to lead with impact and create lasting professional change through their leadership journey. More than 70 Emirati women have completed one or more of these programmes in the last 12 months. Last year, Emirates also sponsored three Emirati female employees to pursue their postgraduate education abroad in three of the top 100 ranked universities worldwide.

In the last year, the Emirates Group also inked a number of strategic partnerships with UAE-based and international organisations including Nafis, Microsoft, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and PwC Academy to deliver bespoke training and development programmes for the Group’s Emirati workforce. Through these programmes, Emirati women are provided additional tools and resources that support their career advancement and advance their workforce contributions.

The Emirates Group is also a launch partner of Aurora50’s women's networking initiative, NOORA and is a signatory of the UAE Gender Balance Council’s pledge, reinforcing its commitment towards female representation and advancement in the organisation.

Emirati women also have opportunities to contribute beyond their job roles, with 55% of the Emirates Group’s Emirati Youth Council consisting of women who hail from different departments across Emirates and dnata businesses. Their work with the Youth Council provides broader exposure to ground-breaking discussions and activities that align with the Emirates Group’s core values, further inspiring their peers.

As an employer of choice, the Emirates Group continues to invest in the UAE national workforce by creating jobs for those seeking careers in travel and aviation. The Group’s Rehlaty strategy aims to attract, train, develop and retain Emirati talent, in line with the UAE’s Emiratisation agenda. As part of this strategy, the Emirates Group has also launched a series of internship, high school and graduate programmes that have successfully onboarded hundreds of Emiratis including ambitious and skilled women over the last two years. UAE nationals interested in careers at the Emirates Group can visit: https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/uae-nationals/

Ambitious Emiratis with various academic backgrounds and at different career stages can now join The Emirates Group’s UAE National Talent Acceleration programme and benefit from four unique opportunities that offer exceptional professional development.

Take off Internship Programme

This programme offers selected students from top global universities internships for up to 12 months, providing them with exciting opportunities to gain professional experience, training and mentoring. The programme will allow students to build connections that contribute to their future career development, including an Alumni network post internship. Interns will undertake various assignments across the Emirates Group to hone their skills and receive periodic performance evaluation and feedback sessions.  More information can be found here.

International Bachelor Scholarship Programme (for September 2024 admissions)

This programme offers full academic scholarship to top performing high school students in specific subjects at major universities in the UK and US. Upon completing the programme, graduates will receive a Bachelor’s degree and career opportunities within the Emirates and dnata Group of companies globally. Students will receive full support from the Emirates Group throughout the programme’s duration including consistent mentorship, as well as accommodation and medical insurance, to help encourage them and fuel their passion. Admissions will start in September 2024, and the programme will be open for application later this year.

Fly High Graduate Programme

This  36-month global management trainee programme is for top local and global university graduates, offering both on-job training and curated training courses in aviation. Members of Fly High will participate in a range of projects across the Emirates Group including airline Operations, Commercial and dnata, in addition to an international assignment. After completing the programme, the talents will be placed in leadership roles and provided further development to power them with a strong network, and tools to become decision makers in the industry.  More information can be found here.

Master Scholarship Programme

This offers full-time scholarships to UAE National employees of the Emirates Group accepted into Masters Programmes at top universities. It supports the Group’s long-standing Emiratisation strategy (Rehlaty) by ensuring consistent growth of the Group’s UAE talent, and providing even more learning opportunities for them to progress their careers.   

The UAE Talent Acceleration Programme expands and enriches the range of UAE National development programmes under the Emirates Group’s Emiratisation strategy (Rehlaty). The Group’s Emiratisation team continually reviews and introduces new initiatives to attract, develop, and retain talented UAE Nationals and make the Emirates Group an employer of choice - from leadership programmes and skills training to internal rotation opportunities; and external opportunities such as scholarships and internships.

Dubai, UAE, 9 August 2022: The Emirates Group opens new doors of opportunity for UAE Nationals to build promising careers within the aviation and travel services industry, through a selection of curated scholarship programmes.

The Emirates Group’s scholarship programme provides support to young Emiratis while they study at esteemed educational institutions, and offers them an exciting career start in one of the Group’s diverse business units after they graduate.

The Group pledges its commitment to the UAE’s Emiratization strategy as it sets the stepping stones for young and ambitious Emirati talent for their journeys towards their dream jobs, and will continue to invest in programmes to help to build the next generation of skilled professionals and successful Emiratis.

The Emirates Group’s scholarship programmes include opportunities to major in the following fields:

• Aviation Management
• Information Technology
• Artificial Intelligence
• Logistics and Supply Chain
• Finance
• Cadet Pilot
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineering

Emirati high school graduates who meet the criteria can apply on the Emirates Group Careers website. To learn more and to apply, visit this page.

In addition to the scholarship programmes for high school graduates, the Emirates Group also provides UAE Nationals varied career opportunities across its wide range of businesses and roles - from entry level and career progression.