Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri assume command of the Boeing 777 fleet.
Dubai: Emirates has promoted two Emirati pilots to captain, marking a historic milestone as the airline’s first Emirati female captains and reflecting the UAE’s broader efforts to empower women in aviation.
Nearly two decades after joining Emirates as cadet pilots with the ambition of commanding commercial aircraft, Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri have officially received their fourth stripes and now command Boeing 777 aircraft across the airline’s global network.
Jawad and Al Mheiri both progressed through the Emirates Group’s National Cadet Pilot Programme, an initiative that has produced a number of Emirati pilots over the years.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad joined Emirates in 2008 through the cadet pilot programme, driven by ambition, passion, and a lifelong dream of flying.
With strong mentorship and ongoing support from the airline’s fleet management, she steadily advanced through the ranks, building her career step by step from the ground up.
Bakhita Al Mheiri began her journey with Emirates as a cadet pilot in 2011. Inspired by successful Emirati female aviators and driven by her passion for flying, she progressed steadily, achieving milestone after milestone and building a strong career with the airline.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri have both officially received their fourth stripe this year, becoming the first Emirati female captains at Emirates and now operating the Boeing 777 fleet.
With years of experience behind them, both pilots continue to demonstrate strong determination, with ambitions that remain as high as ever.
Hanan Mohammed Jawad has accumulated a total of 9,253 flying hours throughout her career as a pilot.
Speaking about her promotion, she 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.”
Hanan Mohammed Jawad said receiving her fourth stripe is a proud milestone, but not a final 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,” she said.
She also reflected on her personal and professional growth, noting how she has evolved over the years. “You change as you grow, and that’s a strength. 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 also spoke about how mentorship shaped her career at Emirates. She said her journey was deeply influenced by guidance from experienced training captains and leaders, whose professionalism and knowledge strengthened both her technical and leadership skills while shaping her personally.
She added that one of her most meaningful lessons has been the importance of passing knowledge forward. As a captain, she hopes to carry on the same values of mentorship and support, helping guide the next generation of pilots and contributing to the continued success of the UAE aviation sector.
Commenting on the airline’s commitment to developing Emirati talent, Capt Hassan Alhammadi, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, said: “At Emirates, we have always been committed to developing our UAE Nationals as part of a professional workforce. The cadet pilot programme remains vital in providing young men and women with a pathway to pursue careers as commercial pilots at Emirates, supporting our future pilot requirements.
We are immensely proud of Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri 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 senior leadership roles.”
Launched in 1993, the National Cadet Pilot Programme (NCPP) is a fully funded initiative by Emirates and has so far graduated many Emirati pilots, including Hanan and Bakhita. These pilots have gone on to become captains, training pilots, and senior leaders within Emirates and across the UAE aviation sector, demonstrating strong long-term career progression for Emiratis.
The programme offers comprehensive flight training at Emirates’ Flight Training Academy, combining world-class instruction, advanced technology, and strict safety standards.
From foundational theory to hands-on flying experience, cadets are guided through every stage of their training, preparing them for long-term careers as professional pilots with Emirates and other airlines. Cadets also undergo comprehensive training at Emirates’ new pilot training centre as part of the programme.
