Emirates has promoted two Emirati women to the rank of captain, the airline announced Thursday, marking the first time Emirati female pilots have reached that grade within the carrier.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bukhaitah Al Muhairi both fly the Boeing 777 and received their fourth stripe this year, following careers that began through Emirates’ fully funded national pilot training programme. Hanan joined the programme in 2008; Bukhaitah followed in 2011. Hanan has logged more than 9,253 flight hours over the course of her career.
“When I was fourteen years old, I saw the first Emirati female captain on television, and her confidence and presence inspired me,” Hanan said. “From that moment, my only dream was to become a captain.” She added that the promotion was not an endpoint: “This is just the beginning. My ambitions have no limits.”
Bukhaitah pointed to the guidance she received from instructors and senior pilots as central to her development. “Their expertise, professionalism, and commitment to knowledge-sharing helped me build my technical and leadership skills,” she said. She also spoke about her intentions going forward: “Today, with the responsibility I carry in my new role, I look forward to supporting and mentoring the next generation of pilots.”
Captain Hassan Al Hammadi, Emirates’ senior vice president of flight operations, called the promotions a fitting outcome of the airline’s long-term investment in Emirati talent. “We are proud of what Hanan and Bukhaitah have achieved,” he said. “This reflects years of commitment, professionalism, and hard work, and confirms the airline’s ability to develop national talent to reach the highest leadership positions in aviation.”
Emirates’ national pilot training programme was launched in 1993 and has produced graduates who have gone on to serve as captains, flight instructors, and in senior operational roles across the airline and the broader UAE aviation sector. Training takes place at the Emirates Aviation University and includes both theoretical study and flight experience, with additional instruction at the airline’s dedicated cadet training centre.
