Emirates airline recorded an unprecedented advancement in its operational history by promoting two female pilots to the top position of aircraft commander. Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri achieved the fourth stripe on the uniform, becoming the first UAE-born women to lead commercial flights for the company. Their professional advancement places the duo in a select group of professionals responsible for operating Boeing 777 jets, one of the largest and most complex wide-body aircraft in the world.
The achievement represents a paradigm shift in a sector historically dominated by men, where global statistics indicate that only around five percent of commercial pilots are women. Commanding a Boeing 777 requires thousands of hours of prior experience, the ability to make quick decisions and in-depth technical knowledge of intercontinental navigation systems. To achieve this position, both professionals built a path of exclusive dedication within the airline itself, joining through local training initiatives.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad’s journey to command
Hanan’s relationship with aviation officially began in 2008, when she was accepted into the company’s training program, but her desire to fly was born much earlier. During her adolescence, at the age of fourteen, she saw a television report that showed a woman from the United Arab Emirates acting as a pilot. The image of that professional conveyed a confidence that marked the young woman, defining the direction she would seek for her own professional future from that moment on.
Throughout his career in the cockpit, Hanan accumulated a total of 9,253 flight hours, a number that attests to his vast experience on long-distance international routes. This significant milestone is equivalent to more than a full year in the air, demonstrating the rigor and consistency necessary for progression from first officer to the commander’s chair. The pilot highlighted that receiving the fourth badge on her uniform generates a feeling of immense pride, but highlighted that she does not see the promotion as the limit of her career.
For the new commander, the current moment represents only the beginning of a new phase of responsibilities, where the sky remains the only limit. She explained that the path to aircraft leadership requires patience and is built progressively over time in service. Years of serving as a first officer provided the technical and emotional foundation for her to assume full control of flight operations with safety and precision.
Mentoring and career advancement by Bakhita Al Mheiri
Bakhita Al Mheiri joined Emirates three years after her colleague, in 2011, driven by the example of other local women who were already pioneering the airline sector. The growing female presence in aviation in the Middle East served as a catalyst for women to pursue the necessary qualifications and advance through the company’s rigorous testing. During her professional evolution, the pilot found support from more experienced professionals who helped her shape her leadership profile.
Bakhita makes a point of crediting much of his success to the constant mentoring he received from instructor captains and flight operations department leaders. The technical and behavioral guidance provided by these veterans was essential for her to develop the skills required to manage a complete crew and ensure passenger safety. Now, occupying the position of maximum authority on board, she plans to repay the investment the company made in her development.
The captain expressed a desire to use her new position to inspire and support younger generations who are taking their first steps in commercial aviation. She understands that the responsibility granted by the airline goes beyond operating the controls of the Boeing 777, and also involves maintaining ethical values and transferring knowledge. Bakhita’s goal is to ensure that new cadets find the same welcoming environment and technical demands that she experienced during her training.
The fundamental role of the National Cadet Program
Both Hanan and Bakhita are direct fruits of the National Cadet Pilot Programme, a strategic initiative launched in 1993 and fully funded by the Emirates Group. The project was designed with the specific purpose of preparing local citizens to assume critical roles in commercial aviation, reducing the historical dependence on foreign labor in flight decks. Over more than three decades, the program has established itself as a source of talent for the region’s aerospace industry.
The training offered by the Emirates Flight Training Academy is internationally recognized for its complexity and covers several fundamental steps for the certification of an airline pilot. Students go through a dense curriculum that ensures the operational excellence required by global regulatory bodies. The training process includes the following pillars:
- In-depth theoretical studies on meteorology, aerodynamics and international aeronautical regulations.
- Practical flight training on state-of-the-art single-engine and twin-engine instructional aircraft.
- Intensive sessions in flight simulators with advanced technology to replicate complex emergencies.
- Continuous assessments based on the most rigorous civil aviation safety standards.
Cadets also receive additional instruction at the company’s new pilot training center, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure to simulate modern commercial jet operations. The success of this methodology is proven by former students who now hold positions as flight instructors, commanders and executive positions in various aviation entities in the United Arab Emirates. Captain Hassan Alhammadi, senior vice president of Flight Operations, reinforced that the initiative remains essential to meet future fleet expansion demands.
The executive stated that the company feels immense pride in seeing Hanan and Bakhita breaking barriers and taking leadership of the aircraft. According to him, the achievement of the two professionals is a direct reflection of years of uninterrupted dedication, exemplary professionalism and hard work inside and outside the classroom.
Emiratization strategy and the future of women’s aviation
The elevation of the two pilots to the position of commander is deeply aligned with the Emiratization strategy promoted by the Emirates Group and the local government. This public and corporate policy aims to increase the active participation of UAE citizens in the private sector, offering clear pathways for the development of technical and leadership careers. Aviation, being one of the country’s economic pillars, acts as a showcase for the practical results of this professional inclusion initiative.
The increase in female presence in highly technically complex positions demonstrates a significant change in the structure of the Middle East labor market. Companies in the region have invested significant resources in training women, recognizing that diversity in command teams brings valuable perspectives for problem solving and crisis management. Emirates, by promoting its first female local captains, sends a clear message to the global market about its commitment to merit-based equality of opportunity.
In a message aimed at future generations of professionals in the airline sector, Hanan and Bakhita made a point of highlighting the institutional support they have received over the years. They stated that the country’s leadership has long recognized women as indispensable partners in building the nation’s future. The captains pointed out that the airline continues to create a favorable environment for female talent to thrive, and that the current work will serve as a foundation for new professionals to reach prominent positions in the aerospace industry.