WOMEN NO LONGER STEREOTYPED

At only 21, Nouf Abdulhamid Omar is flying her dreams high. Starting from school, she has always been determined to take a career that’s closer to her personality. “I took on many activities at school to develop leadership skills. With time, I learned to be a leader who’s capable of making decisions and taking on responsibilities,” said Omar.

Graduating from Al Mawakeb School, she joined Emirates Airlines in November 2014 to become a pilot. A year later, she went to Spain for training and started officially flying a Boeing 777 to Cairo, Mumbai, Delhi, Singapore, Kuwait and Saudi since November 2017.

Omar led over 15 flights, and today, she is among seven Emirati female pilots in Emirates Airlines, with five more currently training on ground in Emirates Flight Academy.

Her goal is to become a training captain. “The stereotype against females not able to fly a plane is diminishing. When I greet people before a flight, they give me an encouraging, rather than a shocking look. They even send their regards with the cabin crew.”

Omar is working to receive more training to become an official officer who can fly to destinations unlimitedly. She made it a mission to inspire the young generation of women. Until today, she goes back to her school and other educational institutes across the country to share her story with students.

When I greet people before a flight, they give me an encouraging, rather than a shocking look.”

Nouf Abulhamid Omar, pilot