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Emirates has promoted its first Emirati female pilots to the position of captain after both employees first joined the airline through its National Cadet Pilot Program.

On June 4, 2026, announced that both Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri had officially received their fourth stripe earlier this year.

Captain Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 while Captain Al Mheiri began her journey with Emirates in 2011.

Emirates said that the two Boeing 777 pilots achieving captain status marked a “pivotal step forward in its commitment to empowering Emirati women in aviation”.

“At Emirates, we have always committed to developing our UAE Nationals as part of professional workforce,” Captain Hassan Alhammadi, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations said. “The cadet pilot program remains vital in providing a path to young men and women to pursue professions as commercial pilots at Emirates, supporting our future pilot requirements.”

Captain Jawad described her achievement as a “proud milestone” but said she does not view 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,” Captain Al Mheir said.

Captain Al Mheiri said that one of the “most meaningful lessons” she gained throughout her journey to becoming a captain 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,” she said.

Emirates said that its National Cadet Pilot Program had enabled many of its Emirati pilots to become captains, training pilots, and senior leaders at the airline and across the UAE aviation industry.

“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,” Captain Hassan Alhammad added.