Emirates Etihad Airways’ first female captain

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced that Captain Aisha Al Mansoori has become the first female Emirati captain of an Emirates commercial airline. This is a major milestone for the Emirates aviation industry and part of Etihad Airways’ efforts to expand the role of women in aviation, especially pilots. The command escalation ceremony took place at Etihad’s Crew Briefing Centre in the presence of the pilot’s family, her peers in the Etihad pilot community and the airline’s senior management.

The 33-year-old captain, who joined Etihad Airways’ Cadet Pilot programme in October 2007, is one of only two UAE national women in the batch. In 2010, Aisha Al Mansoori successfully graduated from the programme and flew for the first time in an Airbus A320 to Amman, Jordan. Since then, Al Mansoori has been promoted, completing the flight time required to become a senior first officer. She was the first Emirati woman to fly an Airbus A380 superjumbo.

To earn the rank of Captain, Al Mansoori completed Etihad Airways’ stringent inspection program and the mandatory flight hours required for the rank of Captain. She successfully passed the theoretical knowledge and flight test of the UAE Civil Aviation Authority, and officially became the first UAE female captain to hold an air transport pilot’s license in the UAE.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Group Chief Operating Officer, Etihad Airways said: “Etihad Airways is very proud of Captain Aisha’s achievements and the pioneering role she has played for women in Emirates. She will undoubtedly be one of many First among women, Etihad Airways looks forward to welcoming more female pilots to the rank of captain in the future. Etihad remains committed to Emiratisation and promoting the role of Emirati women in the development of the aviation industry. Aviation is gender neutral. To prove themselves, Etihad’s pilots undergo intensive exams and meet stringent flight time requirements to ensure the highest standards of international aviation training are maintained. Aisha has earned her status and will no doubt inspire her UAE compatriots and young women around the world to follow their dreams in aviation.”

Al Mansoori said: “I am very grateful for the opportunity to join Etihad’s Cadet Pilot programme and to develop my career at Etihad over the years. The guidance given during my training has shaped my skills and prepared me for the rank of captain. I am proud to be the first Emirati woman to serve as a captain in a commercial airline and I hope I inspire Young women are taking this career path.”

On 28 August, Al Mansoori will begin his regular mission at the Etihad as captain, which also marks Emirati Women’s Day.

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