Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Emirates has promoted Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri to captain, making them the airline’s first Emirati female captains and marking a significant milestone for both the carrier and the UAE’s aviation sector. The appointments were announced by Emirates on June 4, 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to develop Emirati talent and advance opportunities for women in aviation.
Both pilots began their careers through the Emirates Group’s National Cadet Pilot Programme (NCPP), a fully funded initiative launched in 1993 to train and develop Emirati commercial pilots. Their promotion to captain reflects years of training, operational experience and progression through the airline’s ranks.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the cadet pilot programme, pursuing what she described as a lifelong ambition to become a pilot. Emirates said she advanced steadily through the airline with the support of mentors and fleet management teams, ultimately accumulating 9,253 flight hours during her career.
Reflecting on her achievement, Hanan said: “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.”
Speaking about receiving her captain’s stripes, she added: “Receiving my fourth stripe is a proud milestone, but I don’t see 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.”
Hanan also spoke about her personal development throughout her aviation career.
“You change as you grow, and that’s a strength,” she said. “When I was younger, I loved drawing and reading. Today, I challenge myself in new ways. I’ve recently started skiing and I’m still a beginner, I enjoy being in that learning space. Balance matters to me now. I’ve moved from intense gym training to practices that build focus and calm yoga, aerial yoga, Pilates and reformer. They support the clarity, discipline and presence my role demands.”
Bakhita Al Mheiri joined Emirates as a cadet pilot in 2011. Inspired by Emirati women who had already entered the profession, she pursued a career in aviation and progressed through successive milestones before earning command on the Boeing 777 fleet.
Discussing the role mentorship played in her career, Bakhita said: “My journey at Emirates has been deeply influenced by the mentorship and guidance I received from exceptional training captains and leaders throughout my flying and command journey.”
She added that their professionalism and willingness to share knowledge strengthened both her technical and leadership capabilities while teaching “the value of responsibility, discipline, and continuous learning.”
Bakhita also emphasized the importance of supporting future generations of aviators.
“One of the most meaningful lessons I gained throughout this journey was the importance of passing knowledge and experience forward,” she said. “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.”
Both captains officially received their fourth stripes in 2026 and now operate Emirates’ Boeing 777 fleet. According to the airline, their achievement represents a landmark moment for Emirati women pursuing careers in commercial aviation.
In a joint message to aspiring female aviators, the two captains said: “Our leadership has long recognised women as essential partners in shaping our nation’s future, and Emirates is creating the environment and opportunities for women to thrive, and we will continue to build on this for future generations.”
Capt Hassan Alhammadi, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations, said the appointments demonstrate the airline’s long-term commitment to developing UAE nationals.
“At Emirates, we have always committed to developing our UAE Nationals as part of the professional workforce,” Alhammadi said.
“The cadet pilot programme remains vital in providing a path to young men and women to pursue professions as commercial pilots at Emirates, supporting our future pilot requirements.”
He added: “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.”
The National Cadet Pilot Programme, established in 1993, has produced generations of Emirati pilots who have gone on to become captains, training pilots and aviation leaders both within Emirates and across the UAE aviation industry. The programme combines academic instruction, flight training, advanced technology and safety-focused operational experience through the Emirates Flight Training Academy and the airline’s new pilot training centre.
The promotion of Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri comes as Emirates continues to expand opportunities for women in aviation while strengthening its Emiratisation strategy through structured career development, leadership programmes and long-term professional growth initiatives.
Their elevation to captain not only marks a historic first for Emirates but also provides a powerful example for future generations of Emirati women considering careers in the flight deck.
