Etihad Airways recently celebrated Captain Aisha Al Mansoori and her accomplishment as the United Arab Emirates’ first female Emirati captain at a commercial airline. Al Mansoori’s appointment marks a great milestone in Etihad’s commitment to expanding the roles of women in aviation, especially in the pilot community.

“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to join Etihad’s Cadet Pilot program and grow my career over the years with Etihad,” said Aisha Al Mansoori, captain, Etihad Airways. “I am thankful for the tremendous support I have received from my instructors at Etihad and for their guidance through my training, which has shaped my skills and prepared me for the rank of Captain. I am proud to be the first female Emirati to be a Captain in a commercial airline, and I hope I will be an inspiration to young women to follow this career path.”

In the presence of her family, peers in Etihad’s pilot community and the airline’s senior management, Al Mansoori celebrated the command upgrade ceremony at Etihad’s Crew Briefing Centre.

© Etihad Airways

The 33-year-old captain joined Etihad’s Cadet Pilot program in 2007 as one of just two U.A.E. national females in her group. In 2010, Al Mansoori graduated from the program and took her first flight to Amman, Jordan, on an Airbus A320. Since this first flight, Mansoori continued to climb the ranks, completing the requisite flying hours to become a Senior First Officer.

Al Mansoori was also the first female U.A.E. national to fly the Airbus A380, a superjumbo passenger aircraft.

“Etihad is extremely proud of Captain Aisha’s achievement and the trailblazing role she is playing for women in aviation in the UAE,” said Mohammad Al Bulooki, COO, Etihad Aviation Group. “She will no doubt be the first of many, and Etihad looks forward to welcoming more female pilots to the rank of Captain in the future.”

To obtain the rank of Captain, Al Mansoori had to complete Etihad’s rigorous program of checks, as well as the mandatory number of flying hours required to be considered Captain. After passing the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s theoretical knowledge and flying exams, Al Mansoori officially became the first Emirati female captain to hold an Air Transport Pilot License in the UAE.

“Aviation is gender blind, and to prove oneself, Etihad’s pilots undergo intensive exams and meet strict requirements on flying hours to ensure the highest standards of training in international aviation are upheld,” said Al Bulooki. “Aisha earned her rank and will no doubt inspire her fellow Emiratis and young women around the world to follow their dreams in aviation.”

Al Mansoori began regular flying duties as Captain at Etihad on Aug. 28, a day which also marks Emirati Women’s Day.

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