This is a significant milestone for aviation within the UAE and part of Etihad’s efforts to expand the roles of women in aviation, in particular the pilot community.

The command upgrade ceremony took place at Etihad's Crew Briefing Centre in the presence of the pilot's family, her peers in Etihad’s pilot community, and the airline's senior management.

The 33-year-old captain joined Etihad's Cadet Pilot programme in October 2007 and was one of only two UAE National females in her batch. In 2010, Al Mansoori successfully graduated from the programme and took her first flight on an Airbus A320 to Amman, Jordan.

Since then, Al Mansoori climbed the ranks, completing the requisite flying hours to become a senior first officer. She was then the first female UAE national to fly the superjumbo passenger aircraft the Airbus A380.

To obtain the rank of Captain, Al Mansoori completed Etihad’s rigorous programme of checks and the mandatory number of flying hours required to be considered for the rank of Captain. She passed the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority's theoretical knowledge and flying exams successfully and officially became the first Emirati female Captain to hold an Air Transport Pilot License in the UAE.