Captain Huda Al Musallami has become the first Emirati woman to qualify as a training captain in the UAE, a milestone announced by Etihad Airways to coincide with Emirati Women’s Day.
The qualification means she is now responsible for preparing and certifying the next generation of pilots to the highest standards of safety and professionalism, a role she describes as both a professional and a national duty.
Her path to the training role spans more than two decades. She entered aviation in 2003, joined Etihad in 2014, and rose from First Officer to Captain in 2023 before qualifying as a Type Rating Instructor in 2026.
She holds a current type rating on the Boeing 787 and has logged more than 10,000 flying hours across the Airbus A330, A340 and Boeing 777. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management and a Master’s in Business Management and Information Systems.
Since taking on the training role, she has worked with pilots of different nationalities and experience levels.
“Being the first means stepping forward before there is a path to follow. When there is no map, you learn to navigate with purpose, to turn challenges into strength, and to keep moving towards what once seemed beyond reach. That is the spirit the UAE has instilled in us: a nation that has never waited for the future, but has always had the courage to shape it. For me, being first was never about the title. It is about making sure I am not the last, and opening the way for more Emirati women to rise, excel and go even further. In the training environment, Captain Huda now prepares and qualifies the next generation of pilots, a role she describes as both a professional and a national duty. In the first months of her new role, she has trained pilots of different nationalities and experience levels, and with every pilot she trains, her own journey becomes a path for others to follow,” Captain Huda Al Musallami said in a statement.
“At Etihad, we give flight to Emirati ambition. Captain Huda’s milestone is a powerful expression of what becomes possible when talent, determination and opportunity come together. By reaching a new height for Emirati women in aviation, she has widened the horizon for those who come after her. As a training captain, she now carries that standard forward, preparing the pilots who will define the industry’s future. Her success reflects the UAE leadership’s vision to empower Emirati women to pioneer and make their mark, and our commitment to advancing national talent to the highest levels of the industry worldwide,” Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government and Corporate Affairs Officer of Etihad Airways added.
Etihad said Emirati women now represent 75 per cent of all UAE nationals in its workforce, contributing across roles from the flight deck to senior leadership.
