UAE Nationals careers take flight

Twenty-four UAE Nationals graduated today from the Emirates Airline National Cadet Pilot Programme, adding to the rapidly growing number of UAE National pilots.

During the graduation ceremony, held at the Emirates Group Headquarters, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group presented trophies and certificates to the 24 high-fliers who have successfully completed the two-and-a-half-year pilot training programme. This graduation occurs just six months after  the last cadet graduation in September 2010, where 46 UAE Nationals completed the programme.

“With the ongoing support from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, the success of Emiratisation at Emirates including the National Cadet Pilot Programme has grown exponentially since it began in 1992,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “As a result, a quarter of Emirates senior management are UAE Nationals and the number of UAE pilots is steadily increasing as well.”

“We, at Emirates, believe that this new generation of cadet pilots reflect true dedication through their care and commitment to the programme itself and we are proud to have the graduates embark on exciting careers, joining the Emirates Group ever-growing family,” added Sheikh Ahmed. “These talented, professional Emiratis will help shape the future of Emirates through their role in our vast global network. These graduates will not only be assets to Emirates, but will serve as role models for future generations in the UAE.”

Emirates commitment to training UAE Nationals extends to every corner of the Emirates Group. Each year over AED 50 million is dedicated to UAE National Cadet Pilot Programme. In addition to today’s graduates, over 180 UAE Nationals are still undergoing the Emirates Airline National Cadet Pilot Training Programme.

The National Cadet Pilot Training Programme continues to produce industry-leading pilots. The programme encompasses intensive Aviation Science and English-language courses. Following these classes, cadets earn their Commercial Pilot’s License with a Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (CPL/Multi IR) before completing aircraft-specific simulator training. Today’s graduating cadets are the last group to undergo training at the Flight Training Adelaide, in Australia. Future cadets will be trained in a facility in Spain, easing travel from Dubai.  

Today’s ceremony was attended by the graduate’s families as well as Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Emirates Executive Vice President Chairman’s Office, Facility Management and Procurement and Logistics - Non Aircraft, Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President, Engineering and Operations, Abdulaziz Al Ali, Executive Vice President HR, Nasser Bin Kherbash, Divisional Senior Vice President HR Development and Employee Services, , ِAhmed Khoory, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf ME and Iran, Majid Al Mualla, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations West Asia and Indian Ocean, , and Captain Bader Al Marzouqi, Chief Pilot Airbus and other senior Emirates officials.