Emirates and Dubai Airport Celebrate Emirati Women’s Impact in Aviation
In celebration of Emirati Women’s Day 2024, the Emirates Group and Dubai Airport (DXB) are recognizing the outstanding contributions of Emirati women in the aviation industry. This year’s theme focuses on honoring the achievements of women from the UAE who have played pivotal roles in advancing aviation, sustainability, and leadership.
According to Emirates, women make up approximately 38% of the group’s workforce, and the organization saw a record number of Emirati women joining its ranks during the last financial year. Over the past two decades, the Emirates Group has invested in mentorship and training programs specifically designed for Emirati female professionals. These initiatives have included leadership programs in partnership with industry giants such as Rolls-Royce, Airbus, and GE Aviation. In the past year alone, more than 70 Emirati women have completed one or more of these programs, positioning them for greater career mobility and leadership roles within the industry.
In addition to professional development, Emirates supported the academic aspirations of its female employees. In 2023, the airline sponsored three Emirati women to pursue postgraduate education at three of the top 100 ranked universities worldwide, further empowering them to bring cutting-edge knowledge and expertise back to the UAE’s aviation sector.
Dubai Airports, the operator of DXB, is also celebrating the achievements of Emirati women who have significantly contributed to the airport’s sustainability initiatives. Among them are three trailblazing women whose work has been instrumental in advancing DXB’s environmental goals.
Sara Al Abdulla, Senior Manager of Commercial Sustainability, led a transformative waste management initiative that now diverts 60% of DXB’s waste away from landfills. Al Abdulla emphasized the importance of community collaboration in sustainability efforts, stating, “Sustainability is not just a goal; it is a journey we embark on together. By building a community that shares knowledge and works collaboratively, we are creating a future that benefits everyone.”
Maryam Alawadhi, an Energy and Sustainability Engineer at Dubai Airports, spearheaded a lighting and building retrofit project that offset 47,000 tons of carbon emissions—equivalent to planting over a million trees annually. Reflecting on her work, Alawadhi said, “Every project I contribute to, no matter how small or big, is a step towards a more sustainable world. The energy savings we achieve are more than just numbers; they represent a tangible difference in our community’s future.”
Najla Alghammai, Director of Category Management at Dubai Airports, has been a key figure in integrating environmentally sustainable practices into procurement processes. Under her leadership, the implementation of Dubai Airports’ Green Procurement Policy resulted in a 49% increase in eco-friendly purchases compared to 2022. Additionally, her support for a paperless policy reduced printing from thousands of pages in 2018 to zero in 2024. “Sustainability in procurement is not just about choosing the right products; it is about setting a precedent for responsible, ethical decision-making that ripples throughout the entire industry,” Alghammai remarked.
Emirati Women’s Day, observed every August 28, honors the contributions and achievements of Emirati women in shaping the UAE. Established in 2015 by the General Women’s Union of the UAE, the day recognizes the dedication of women in various sectors, including aviation, and their role in the nation’s progress. This celebration serves as a reminder of the strides Emirati women have made, even as the country continues to advance their rights and opportunities.