Emirates Flight Training Academy’s sixth graduation welcomes 77 next-gen pilots to the industry

Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) has celebrated its sixth graduation ceremony, marking a significant milestone in aviation training with 77 new pilots joining the industry.

Graduates:
77 cadets earned their wings, including 52 UAE Nationals under the National Cadet Pilot Programme (NCPP) and 25 cadets from 15 other countries.

Legacy:
Since its launch in 2017, EFTA has graduated over 300 cadets, many of whom are now flying or training on Emirates’ widebody fleet.

Leadership Presence:
The ceremony was headlined by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, who emphasized the academy’s role in shaping resilient leaders for global aviation.

Facilities:
- Campus equal to 200 football fields - 36 classrooms, 6 full-motion flight simulators, and a dedicated 1,800m runway
- Fleet of 32 training aircraft including Cirrus SR22 G6, Diamond DA42NG, Gamebird GB1, and Embraer Phenom 100EV jets

Recognition:
Five cadets were honored for exceptional achievements, including Abdulrahman Alnuaimi, Falah Alhosani, Giada Macario, Shaheer Bhatti, and Saeed Abdulla.

Strategic Importance
- Pipeline for Emirates: Graduates have a clear pathway to join Emirates after completing type ratings.
- National Development: NCPP remains the UAE’s largest initiative to cultivate future Emirati pilots.
- Global Reach: The academy attracts international students, reinforcing Dubai’s vision as a global aviation hub.

This graduation underscores EFTA’s mission to blend academic excellence, advanced flight technology, and leadership development to produce world-class pilots ready to take on the skies.