Aisha Al Mansoori has soared through the ranks of Etihad Airways for the past 15 years.
“I am proud to be the first female Emirati to be a Captain in a commercial airline; I hope I will be an inspiration to young women to follow this career path,” says Captain Aisha Al Mansoori who will on 28 August 2022 commence regular flying duties as a Captain at Etihad Airways, a day which also marked Emirati Women’s Day.
Captain Aisha’s ascent of the ranks began in October 2007 when she joined Etihad’s Cadet Pilot programme, being one of only two UAE National females in her batch. 2010 saw her successfully graduate from the programme to head to the skies on her first flight on an Airbus A320 to Amman, Jordan.
Climbing even higher, Captain Aisha completed the requisite flying hours to become a Senior First Officer, becoming at that time the first female UAE national to fly the superjumbo passenger aircraft the Airbus A380.
But the sky was not the limit and Captain Aisha earned her four stripes to become captain after completing Etihad’s rigorous programme of checks and the mandatory number of flying hours required.
Passing the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority’s theoretical knowledge and flying exams successfully, she officially became the first Emirati female Captain to hold an Air Transport Pilot License in the UAE.
“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to join Etihad’s Cadet Pilot programme
and grow my career over the years with Etihad,” says Captain Aisha Al Mansoori, “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.”
The command upgrade ceremony took place at Etihad’s Crew Briefing Centre in the presence of the pilot’s family, her peers in Etihad’s pilot community, and the airline’s senior management.
