After successfully completing months of intensive and rigorous training, 77 pilot cadets took their first step into professional aviation careers by earning their wings at the sixth graduation ceremony of the Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA).
At the ceremony marking its sixth graduating class, the Emirates Flight Training Academy added 77 new pilots to the aviation industry. With this cohort, EFTA has now trained more than 300 pilots to date, continuing its mission to build a strong and sustainable pilot pipeline for Emirates and the global aviation sector.
Hosting the ceremony, Emirates Airline and Emirates Group Chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “The graduation ceremony of the Emirates Flight Training Academy is a clear sign that we are laying a stronger foundation for global aviation and that the future rests in the hands of determined, capable, and resilient leaders. Our graduates will now proudly carry their wings, connecting the world while upholding the highest standards of safety and service, and shaping the future of aviation. Each pilot graduating today is a tangible example of potential and perseverance. Together, they represent our commitment to nurturing a powerful new generation of pilots who will carry Dubai’s vision into the skies. I congratulate our graduates, who make us proud.”
The ceremony was attended by senior Emirates Group executives, graduating pilots, their families and loved ones, as well as the academy’s instructors and students. The 77 new Emirates pilot cadets earned their wings not only to fly, but also to lead, innovate, and inspire future generations of aviators. Of the graduates, 52 completed their training under the Emirates Group’s UAE National Cadet Pilot Programme (NCPP). The remaining 25 graduates came from 15 different countries. Over the past five years, the majority of the more than 300 pilots who have graduated from EFTA are currently flying on Emirates’ widebody fleet or continuing their advanced training.
As the UAE’s largest and most established initiative in this field, the National Cadet Pilot Programme was launched to develop the next generation of highly qualified Emirati pilots. Fully supported by the Group, cadets trained at EFTA go on to complete their type ratings after graduation, enabling them to begin flight duties with Emirates.
The Emirates Flight Training Academy offers a distinctive approach to aviation education. By combining academic excellence, advanced flight training technologies, and leadership development, EFTA trains world-class pilots capable of operating the most advanced widebody aircraft in the skies. Through close collaboration with the National Cadet Pilot Programme and Emirates’ flight training division, the training provided is fully aligned with Emirates’ standards, culture, and operational requirements.
The academy also recognized five pilot cadets for their outstanding performance throughout the year. Abdulrahman Alnuaimi, Falah Alhosani, Giada Macario, and Shaheer Bhatti received awards for excellence, while Saeed Abdullaise was recognized as the “most hardworking cadet.”
