Etihad Airways Captain Huda Al Musallami has become the United Arab Emirates’ first female pilot to qualify as a training captain. She is already training pilots from different countries and with varied experience levels. Al Musallami describes the responsibility as both a professional duty and a national responsibility.

Etihad Airways said women account for 75 percent of Emirati citizens employed at the airline, serving in roles from the flight deck to senior leadership. The airline said it helps Emirati women pursue their ambitions, while Al Musallami’s achievement broadens horizons for the next generation.

Al Musallami entered the aviation industry in 2003 and joined Etihad Airways in 2014. She became a captain in 2023 and qualified as a type rating instructor in 2026. Authorized to fly Boeing 787 aircraft, she has logged more than 10,000 flight hours and previously flew Airbus A330, A340 and Boeing 777 aircraft. She holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management and postgraduate degrees in business management and information systems.