Dubai,  when Mariam Al Balooshi started working as a chemical engineer at the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), few thought her career in the traditionally male dominated aviation industry will take off. Nor she will one day represent the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in international civil aviation industry forums or become a strong voice on environmental issues. 

But Mariam is not the only that inspired Emirati women to seek careers in traditionally male dominated sector. Captain Aysha Al Hamili was the UAE’s first woman pilot and has been the UAE’s Permanent Representative on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) since October 2009.
 
Al Balooshi said: “The sky is the limit for women that want to build their careers in the aviation industry in the UAE. There is a general shortage of Emirati women in engineering and other highly technical fields, especially in the aviation industry.

“We need to create more awareness and support initiatives to bring more Emirati women in the aviation industry’s non-administrative segments. We need more women in leadership roles.

“There are few opportunities to pursue aviation-related educational programmes in the UAE, but things are beginning to change with many initiatives taking shape to fill the void. The UAE University and Mubadala Aerospace have started an initiative to create a pool of talented Emiratis in the coming years. Many more programmes are needed and the Emirati women need to be inspired and encouraged.” 

In the past decade, more Emirati women have followed their lead in pursuing careers in UAE’s aviation industry. Salma Al Baloushi became the first Emirati woman to fly a plane solo for Etihad Airways, Dr. Nabila Al Awadhi became the first Emirati Aviation Medicine Physician, Nawal Al Suwaidi became the first Emirati woman cabin crew, and Noufa Al Afeefi became the first Emirati woman Air Traffic Controller. 

The UAE’s aviation industry accounts for 28 per cent (AED145 billion) of the Arab world’s second biggest economy gross domestic product, yet there is hardly a handful of Emirati women who are employed in segments such as engineering, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, avionics and aeromedicine.

Al Balooshi, sits on the Advisory Board of the Global Airports Leaders’ Forum (GALF) taking place in Dubai next month, noted that there are plenty of opportunities for women in all segments of aviation. 

The UAE aviation industry is set to take off within the next decade, as UAE is becoming the world’s leading travel hub; thus, the demand for skilled manpower is expected to soar significantly. The aviation industry, which, according to an Oxford Economics report, supports 224,000 jobs in the UAE, will provide more than 400,000 new jobs in various disciplines directly and indirectly in the next 20 years.

Women in the UAE – Portrait of Progress, a study by the UAE Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs (MFNCA), states that the UAE leadership believes women, based on merit, should be encouraged to take up front-line organizational positions and that their entry into previously male dominated fields is an essential first step towards an equal society. “In order to prove themselves in their chosen careers, women must first be given the platform to achieve”, concludes the study.

Salma Al Baloushi expects to see more women following her footsteps, and breaking gender barriers: “I can only hope my accomplishment encourages many of my Emirati sisters to push the boundaries and reach their goals.”  

To that end, the 13th Airport Show which will take place in Dubai from May 6-8, will host an initiative that aims to encourage Emirati women to pursue highly-rewarding aviation careers.