Etihad Airways’ Captain Huda Al Musallami becomes UAE’s first Emirati woman training captain

Etihad Airways Captain Huda Al Musallami has become the first Emirati woman to qualify as a training captain in the UAE, marking a new milestone for women in the country’s aviation industry.

Al Musallami began her aviation career in 2003 and joined Etihad Airways in 2014. She progressed from First Officer to Captain in 2023 before qualifying as a Type Rating Instructor in 2026.

She currently holds a type rating for the Boeing 787 and has accumulated more than 10,000 flying hours. Her flying experience also includes the Airbus A330, A340 and Boeing 777. Alongside her aviation career, Al Musallami holds a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management and a master’s degree in Business Management and Information Systems.

In her new training role, Al Musallami is responsible for preparing pilots at different stages of their careers and from different nationalities and experience levels. She described the position as both a professional responsibility and a national duty, with the aim of helping create opportunities for future Emirati women in aviation.

“Being the first was never about the title. It is about making sure I am not the last,” Al Musallami said, highlighting her ambition to create a pathway for more Emirati women to pursue careers in aviation.

Dr Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Airways, said Al Musallami’s achievement demonstrates what can be achieved when talent, determination and opportunity come together.

Bastaki said the milestone reflects the UAE’s focus on empowering Emirati women and Etihad’s commitment to developing national talent for senior roles across the aviation sector.

Emirati women currently account for 75% of UAE nationals within Etihad Airways’ workforce, with employees working across areas ranging from flight operations to corporate leadership.

Al Musallami’s appointment comes as the UAE continues to promote greater participation of Emirati women across strategic industries. Her progression from pilot to training captain also places her in a position to influence the development of the next generation of aviation professionals.