Emirates Flight Training Academy celebrates sixth graduation with 77 new pilots - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

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