Tourexpi
The Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) has marked
a major milestone with its sixth graduation ceremony in Dubai, welcoming 77
newly qualified pilots into the aviation industry. After months of intensive
training, the cadets successfully completed the academy’s demanding programme,
reinforcing EFTA’s role as a key source of future pilots for Emirates and the
wider airline sector.
Building the future of global aviation
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,
Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, led the ceremony
and highlighted the broader significance of the occasion. He described the
graduation as a symbol of a stronger foundation for global aviation and a
testament to the commitment, resilience and capability of the new pilots. “Our
graduates will now proudly wear their wings, connect the world, uphold the
highest standards of safety and service, and shape the future of aviation,” he
said.
The ceremony was attended by senior leaders from the
Emirates Group, graduates and their families, as well as faculty members and
cadets from the academy.
A diverse and growing cohort
Of the 77 graduates, 52 are part of the Emirates
Group’s UAE National Pilot Cadet Programme (NCPP), while the remaining 25
represent 15 different nationalities. Over the past five years, EFTA has
graduated more than 300 cadets, the majority of whom are now flying or
continuing training with Emirates on its wide-body fleet.
The NCPP is the UAE’s largest and longest-running
initiative of its kind, designed to develop future generations of Emirati
pilots. Fully sponsored by the Emirates Group, cadets who complete the
programme follow a clear pathway towards flying with Emirates after finishing
their aircraft type rating.
Integrated training and leadership development
EFTA’s training model combines academic instruction,
advanced flight training technology and leadership development. Close
collaboration with the National Cadet Pilot Programme and Emirates’ flight
training division ensures that cadets’ education is closely aligned with the
airline’s operational standards and culture, preparing them to operate some of
the world’s most advanced wide-body aircraft.
During the ceremony, five cadets were recognised for
outstanding performance: Abdulrahman Alnuaimi, Falah Alhosani, Giada Macario
and Shaheer Bhatti for exceptional achievements, and Saeed Abdulla for
diligence throughout the programme.
A purpose-built training environment
Located in Dubai South, the EFTA campus is designed to
support both rigorous training and daily life. Cadets live in private studio
apartments with access to facilities such as a gym, pool and recreational
spaces, allowing them to focus fully on their studies without commuting.
The academy spans an area equivalent to 200 football
fields and features 36 modern classrooms, six full-motion flight simulators, an
independent air traffic control tower and a dedicated 1,800-metre runway.
Classrooms are equipped with large interactive touchscreens running bespoke
training software developed by Boeing, underlining EFTA’s commitment to
state-of-the-art pilot education.
Image
Credit: © Emirates Airlines
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