Wings of Progress: Emirati Women in Aviation

Rising Stars: Female Talent in UAE Aviation

The Emirates Group is celebrating the contributions of Emirati women and the vital work they do to advance excellence across aviation and travel in the UAE. Check out the video highlighting the diverse careers of talented Emirati women across the Emirates Group.

Emirati women are establishing their careers across various business functions at the Emirates Group and laying the groundwork for a talent pipeline to support the next generation of aviation professionals. Approximately 38% of the Group’s Emirati workforce is comprised of women, and in the last financial year, the organization welcomed a record number of Emirati women to its workforce. This demonstrates the Emirates Group’s commitment to integrating Emirati women into the UAE’s growing aviation sector. They are provided with the right skills, competencies, and expertise to thrive and reach their full potential.

The Emirates Group achieved a significant milestone this year by recording a 20% increase in Emirati women appointed to leadership positions compared to the previous year. Over 200 Emirati women currently serve in leadership roles across various business functions within the organization. In March 2024, the Emirates Group announced the promotion of five Emirati women to senior executive positions in critical departments such as Human Resources and Commercial Support.

From senior executives to outstation managers and heads of departments, the Emirates Group continues to provide Emirati women with industry-leading resources to improve their leadership skills and expand their career opportunities. Over the past 20 years, the Emirates Group has offered mentorship and training programs for Emirati female professionals to enhance their professional development and career advancement. They can access leadership programs such as the Rolls-Royce and Airbus Leadership Programs and the GE Aviation Program. Emirati women in leadership positions at the Emirates Group also have the chance to participate in the INSEAD Women Leaders Program, which empowers them to lead effectively and bring about meaningful professional change through their leadership journey. In the last 12 months, more than 70 Emirati women have completed one or more of these programs. Additionally, Emirates sponsored three Emirati female employees last year to pursue postgraduate education abroad at three of the top 100 ranked universities worldwide.

The Emirates Group has established several strategic partnerships with UAE-based and international organizations such as Nafis, Microsoft, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and PwC Academy in the past year. These partnerships aim to provide customized training and development programs for the group's Emirati workforce. Through these programs, Emirati women are equipped with additional tools and resources to support their career advancement and enhance their contributions to the workforce.

The Emirates Group is also a launch partner of Aurora50’s women's networking initiative, NOORA, and a signatory of the UAE Gender Balance Council’s pledge, reinforcing its commitment to female representation and advancement.

Emirati women have opportunities to contribute beyond their job roles. 55% of the Emirates Group’s Emirati Youth Council comprises women from various departments across Emirates and Dnata businesses. Their involvement in the Youth Council exposes them to meaningful discussions and activities that align with the Emirates Group’s core values, inspiring their peers further.

The Emirates Group is dedicated to being an employer of choice. It continues to invest in the UAE national workforce by creating jobs for those interested in careers in travel and aviation. The Group's Rehlaty strategy is focused on attracting, training, developing, and retaining Emirati talent in line with the UAE's Emiratisation agenda. As part of this strategy, the Emirates Group has launched internship, high school, and graduate programs that have successfully boarded hundreds of Emiratis, including ambitious and skilled women, over the last two years.