Dubai-based airline Emirates has promoted two accomplished female pilots, Hanan Mohammed Jawad and Bakhita Al Mheiri, is provoking controversy online.
The two were promoted to the rank of captain as of June 4, 2026, a milestone observers believe reflects the airline’s continued commitment to empowering women in aviation.
Both pilots are graduates of the Emirates Group’s National Cadet Pilot Programme, a training initiative that has produced a significant number of the airline’s pilots over the years.
While the announcement has been celebrated in some quarters as progress for gender inclusion in the aviation industry, it has also sparked criticism on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Some users express skepticism and bias toward female pilots, one user, @buckskinbill, commenting: “I’ll choose who has common sense rather than to wear a hood under a hat.”
Another, @SirJBritain, asked, “Can you tell me what specific flights they are, so I can avoid them please?”
Similarly, @Madamsavvy stated, “I will never be flown by a woman pilot.”
Others who questioned the timing of the development, noted that female captains have been present in other airlines for decades.
“At last! All others airlines did this back in the 70s and 80s. At least you’re making some progress” @Y1D∅S said
@tennisalt remarked, “Delta and United did this in the 1980s. I knew you were behind, but didn’t realise you were forty years behind.”
There were also comments rooted in misconceptions about women’s rights in the region, with some users referencing outdated restrictions on women driving.
Despite the criticism, the promotion of Jawad and Al Mheiri represents a significant step forward for representation and inclusion within the aviation sector, particularly in the Middle East where Emirates is a big brand.
