Emirates has promoted Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri to captain, making them the airline's first Emirati women to command its Boeing 777 aircraft and marking a significant milestone in the carrier's Emiratisation strategy.
The appointments follow years of training, operational experience and progression through the airline's flight operations ranks. Both pilots began their careers through the Emirates Group National Cadet Pilot Programme and have now received their fourth stripes, the designation of captain within the airline.
The promotions represent a landmark moment not only for Emirates but also for the wider UAE aviation sector, where efforts to develop local talent and increase female representation in technical and leadership roles have gathered pace in recent years.
The two newly appointed captains followed separate paths through the airline before reaching the flight deck's highest operational rank.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the cadet pilot programme and advanced through the organisation with support from the airline's training and fleet management teams.
Bakhita Al Mheiri began her Emirates journey in 2011 as a cadet pilot and subsequently built her career within the carrier's flight operations division.
Their appointments reflect the long-term nature of pilot development, where progression from cadet training to command roles can take years of operational flying, technical assessment and leadership preparation.
For Hanan, the promotion caps more than a decade and a half of aviation experience.
According to Emirates, she has accumulated more than 9,253 flying hours during her career.
Reflecting on her achievement, Hanan said her ambition to become a pilot began when she saw the UAE's first female pilot on television at the age of 14.
"When I was 14, I saw the UAE's first female pilot on TV and was struck by her confidence and presence. From that point on, all I wanted was to become a pilot," she said.
Speaking about her promotion to captain, Hanan described the achievement as an important milestone rather than a final destination, noting that her years as a First Officer helped prepare her for command responsibilities.
She also highlighted the importance of continuous learning and personal development, citing activities such as skiing, aerial yoga, Pilates and reformer training as ways to maintain focus, discipline and balance.
For Bakhita Al Mheiri, mentorship played a central role in her progression through the airline.
She credited training captains and senior leaders at Emirates with helping her develop both professionally and personally throughout her flying career.
Bakhita said the guidance she received strengthened her technical expertise and leadership capabilities while reinforcing values such as responsibility, discipline and continuous learning.
She added that one of the most important lessons she gained was the importance of sharing knowledge with future generations of pilots and supporting younger Emiratis entering the profession.
Her comments reflect a broader emphasis within the aviation industry on mentorship and knowledge transfer as airlines prepare the next generation of flight crew.
The airline described the appointments as evidence of the effectiveness of its long-standing talent development initiatives.
Capt Hassan Alhammadi, Divisional Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at Emirates, said the promotions demonstrated the airline's ability to develop Emirati talent from entry-level positions through to senior leadership roles.
"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," he said.
The promotions also shine a spotlight on the airline's National Cadet Pilot Programme, which has become a key source of Emirati pilots for Emirates over the years.
Key facts:
The programme forms part of Emirates' broader workforce development strategy and supports the airline's efforts to strengthen local participation in highly specialised aviation roles.
The elevation of Hanan Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri comes as the UAE continues to expand its aviation sector and invest in developing homegrown talent across critical industries.
Their appointments serve as a visible example of how long-term training programmes can create leadership pathways within highly technical professions. As Emirates continues to grow its pilot workforce and invest in future talent, the achievement of its first Emirati female captains is likely to remain a defining milestone in the airline's development journey.
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