Emirates Promotes First Emirati Female Captains on Boeing 777 Fleet

Emirates has promoted two Emirati pilots, Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri, to the rank of captain, marking a significant milestone for the airline and the wider UAE aviation sector. Both pilots progressed through the Emirates Group’s National Cadet Pilot Programme, which has produced generations of Emirati flight crew since its launch in 1993.

The promotions place Hanan and Bakhita among the first Emirati women to hold captaincy positions at Emirates, each now operating the airline’s Boeing 777 fleet. Their advancement reflects years of training, operational experience, and progression through the airline’s structured pilot‑development pathway.

Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 as a cadet pilot, motivated by a long‑held ambition to fly. Over nearly two decades, she advanced through successive training and operational stages, supported by fleet management and senior training captains. She has accumulated 9,253 flying hours, building experience across long‑haul and ultra‑long‑haul operations.

Reflecting on her promotion, Hanan said her inspiration began at age 14 after seeing the UAE’s first female pilot on television. She described receiving her fourth stripe as “a proud milestone,” adding that command is “a path built over time” shaped by her years as a First Officer.

Bakhita Al Mheiri began her career with Emirates in 2011, also through the cadet programme. Influenced by earlier generations of Emirati female pilots, she progressed steadily through the airline’s training system, completing command requirements and gaining operational leadership experience on the Boeing 777.

Bakhita credited the mentorship of senior captains for shaping both her technical skills and her approach to leadership. She noted the importance of passing that mentorship forward, saying she hopes to support younger pilots beginning their own careers.

In a statement, Capt Hassan Alhammadi, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations, said the promotions reflect the airline’s long‑standing investment in developing UAE Nationals. He highlighted the cadet pilot programme as a key pipeline for future flight crew, providing structured training from entry level through to command.

“We are immensely proud of Hanan and Bakhita,” he said, noting that their achievement demonstrates the potential for Emirati pilots to progress into senior operational roles.

Hanan and Bakhita also shared a joint message to aspiring female pilots, emphasising the UAE’s support for women in aviation and the opportunities available through Emirates’ training pathways.

Established in 1993, the National Cadet Pilot Programme is a fully funded Emirates Group initiative that has produced many of the airline’s current captains, training pilots, and operational leaders. Cadets undergo academic training, simulator instruction, and flight training at the Emirates Flight Training Academy, followed by type‑rating and line‑training phases within Emirates’ fleet.

The programme remains a central component of the airline’s long‑term strategy to build and sustain a skilled Emirati pilot workforce.