The Emirates Group stands as a proud advocate for Emirati women, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to the UAE’s thriving aviation and travel industries. A recent video beautifully showcases the diverse and talented pool of Emirati women who are excelling across various careers within the Emirates Group. This powerful visual testament highlights the impactful contributions these women are making to the industry.
Emirati women are not only charting successful career paths but also establishing a robust talent pipeline, ensuring a future generation of aviation professionals is well-equipped for success. The Emirates Group boasts an impressive 38% representation of Emirati women in its workforce. The past financial year saw a record number of Emirati women join the organization, solidifying the Group’s commitment to integrating Emirati women into the burgeoning aviation sector of the UAE. The organization is dedicated to equipping these women with the essential skills, competencies, and expertise necessary for them to excel and reach their full potential.
This year, the Emirates Group reached a significant milestone by witnessing a remarkable 20% increase in the number of Emirati women in leadership positions compared to the previous year. Today, over 200 Emirati women hold leadership roles, driving growth across a wide range of business functions. In March 2024, the Group announced the promotion of five Emirati female leaders to senior executive roles in critical Human Resources and Commercial Support departments, showcasing a commitment to elevating women within the organization.
From senior executives to outstation managers and department heads, the Emirates Group continues to provide Emirati women with industry-leading resources to enhance their leadership abilities and advance their careers. For the past 20 years, the Group has dedicated itself to fostering the professional development and career mobility of Emirati women through mentorship and training programs. These include renowned leadership programs such as the Rolls-Royce and Airbus Leadership Programmes, GE Aviation Programme, and others. Additionally, Emirati women in leadership positions have the unique opportunity to participate in the prestigious INSEAD Women Leaders Programme, empowering them to lead with impact and create meaningful change. Over the past 12 months, more than 70 Emirati women have successfully completed one or more of these programs. Last year, Emirates also demonstrated its dedication to their growth by sponsoring three Emirati female employees to pursue postgraduate education at three of the world’s top 100 universities.
The Emirates Group’s commitment to fostering Emirati talent extends beyond internal programs. Over the past year, the Group has forged strategic partnerships with both UAE-based and international organizations, including Nafis, Microsoft, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and PwC Academy. These partnerships are vital in delivering customized training and development programs that equip the Group’s Emirati workforce with the latest tools and resources to support their career advancement and amplify their contributions to the workforce. The Emirates Group is also a launch partner of Aurora50’s women’s networking initiative, NOORA, and a signatory of the UAE Gender Balance Council’s pledge, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to female representation and advancement within the organization.
Emirati women at the Emirates Group are not limited to professional success. They actively contribute to broader initiatives, with 55% of the Emirates Group’s Emirati Youth Council members being women from various departments within Emirates and dnata businesses. Their involvement with the Youth Council offers them broader exposure to groundbreaking discussions and activities aligned with the Emirates Group’s core values, further inspiring their peers.
As a leading employer, the Emirates Group remains committed to investing in the UAE national workforce by creating opportunities for those pursuing careers in travel and aviation. The Group’s Rehlaty strategy is a testament to this commitment, focusing on attracting, training, developing, and retaining Emirati talent, aligning perfectly with the UAE’s Emiratisation goals. As part of this strategy, the Emirates Group has launched several internship, high school, and graduate programs that have successfully onboarded hundreds of Emiratis, including ambitious and skilled women, over the past two years. The Emirates Group stands as a shining example of how companies can create an environment that nurtures and empowers women, driving both individual and organizational success.
