Over the past 20 years, Etihad has established a reputation for nurturing Emirati talent through programmes.

The Emirates Group celebrated the contributions of Emirati women, and the vital work they do to advance excellence across aviation and travel in the UAE.

 Today, more than 200 Emirati women hold leadership positions in the organisation, contributing to growth across a gamut of business functions.

A press release issued by the group on Wednesday highlighted that Emirati women are forging their career paths across a variety of business functions at the Emirates Group and building the foundations for a talent pipeline to support the next generation of aviation professionals.

Approximately 38 percent of the Group’s Emirati workforce consists of women, and in the last financial year, the organisation welcomed a record number of Emirati women to its workforce. This further reinforces the Emirates Group’s commitment to integrating Emirati women in the UAE’s growing aviation sector, where they are empowered with the right skills, competencies and expertise, allowing them to thrive and reach their full potential.

The Emirates Group also marked another milestone this year, achieving 20 percent growth over the previous year for the number of Emirati women appointed in leadership roles.

In March 2024, the Emirates Group announced the promotion of five Emirati female leaders to senior executive roles in key Human Resources and Commercial Support departments.

From senior executives to outstation managers and even heads of departments, the Group continues to equip Emirati women with industry-leading resources to hone their leadership skills and grow their career prospects.

Over the last 20 years, the Emirates Group has provided mentorship and training programmes for Emirati female professionals to boost their professional growth and career mobility with access to leadership programmes including the Rolls-Royce and Airbus Leadership Programmes, GE Aviation Programme, among others.

Emirati females in leadership positions at the Emirates Group also have the opportunity to enrol in the INSEAD Women Leaders Programme, empowering them to lead with impact and create lasting professional change through their leadership journey.

More than 70 Emirati women have completed one or more of these programmes in the last 12 months. Last year, Emirates also sponsored three Emirati female employees to pursue their postgraduate education abroad in three of the top 100 ranked universities worldwide.

In the last year, the Emirates Group also inked a number of strategic partnerships with UAE-based and international organisations including Nafis, Microsoft, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and PwC Academy to deliver bespoke training and development programmes for the Group’s Emirati workforce.

Through these programmes, Emirati women are provided additional tools and resources that support their career advancement and advance their workforce contributions.

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

ETIHAD AIRWAYS: On Emirati Women’s Day, Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, marks its 20th anniversary by honouring its significant achievements in elevating Emirati women within the aviation sector. The airline proudly reports nearly half of its UAE national workforce comprises Emirati women, underscoring its commitment to cultivating and advancing local talent.

Over the past 20 years, Etihad has established a reputation for nurturing Emirati talent through programmes designed to engage and equip Emirati professionals with new skills. Notable initiatives include the Etihad Cadet Pilot Programme, Graduate Manager Programme, and specialised training for technicians and engineers, which have contributed to a highly skilled and diverse workforce of Emirati women.

This has led to a strong representation of Emirati women across the airline’s diverse roles, including operational positions such as pilots, cabin crew, aircraft technicians, and engineers, as well as other professions like medical doctors, trainers and lawyers, in addition to exceling in core business roles and leadership positions.

Since its inception, Etihad has championed innovative strategies to empower Emirati women and bolster the UAE workforce. Key milestones include the establishment of the Global Business Service Solutions (GBSS) revenue accounting centre in Al Ain in 2016 and the launch of its all-female Al Ain call centre in 2011. These initiatives reflect Etihad’s leadership in fostering female talent in aviation, providing essential training and development opportunities.

Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer, said: “Reflecting on our 20-year journey, we are proud to have attracted ambitious women whose dedication has been pivotal in positioning our national airline as a global leader. Emirati women have excelled in operational roles, leadership positions, and as outstation managers around the world. Their contributions extend beyond their professional roles, inspiring both the UAE and the global aviation community. Today, we celebrate their resilience, their drive for change, and their role in shaping the future of our airline, the aviation industry, and the UAE.”

WAM