EFTA’s record graduate cohort creates steady pilot pipeline for aviation

Courage, commitment and passion were all in evidence at Emirates Flight Training Academy’s fifth graduation ceremony, which marked the academy’s biggest cohort to date. EFTA also announced the launch of an Advanced Diploma in Pilot Licensing Training (Aeroplane) on the back of the academy’s recognition as an Accredited Training Provider by the UAE National Qualifications Centre.

The graduation ceremony was headlined by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group, the Group’s senior leadership team, graduates, their families and friends, and the academy’s faculty and cadets.

HH Sheikh Ahmed congratulated and presented certificates to the cadet graduates: “Our Emirates Flight Training Academy was built on a vision and a solid strategy, and its journey so far has been nothing short of inspiring, even thrilling. The recognition by the NQC validates our commitment and our robust investments in our academy that is future-fit for the next generation. EFTA plays a vital role in nurturing the next generation of pilots, not just for the industry in the UAE but for world aviation, creating a steady and talented pilot pipeline. It’s incredible that we are training, developing and empowering young adults to drive the future of aviation – right here in Dubai. I’m confident our graduates will make their mark in shaping the future of our industry. Congratulations to the class of 2024!”

After months of rigorous training on the ground and in the skies, 85 bright and talented cadets are now fully equipped to take on every aviator challenge. The cohort includes 67 UAE National and 18 international cadets. Since EFTA’s launch, 271 cadets have been transformed from school leavers with no knowledge of flying to world-class professional pilots. EFTA also honoured four cadets for their exceptional performance throughout the year: Humaid Al Hammadi, Abdulla Raeisi, Alessandro Muffolini and Sarah Shah; and Abdulla Alkaabi for being the most diligent.

Capt Abdulla Al Hammadi, Divisional Vice President Emirates Flight Training Academy said: “Today, we’ve witnessed not just a graduation ceremony, but the fulfilment of many collective dreams. After countless hours of hard work, challenges and accomplishments, our cadets have proven they are ready to conquer the skies. They’ve come far – both personally and professionally – and EFTA is proud to see them step into a world full of opportunities with their new and richly deserved wings. Congratulations to our graduates!

“Our new Advanced Diploma in Pilot Licensing Training will be available to all EFTA graduates and will provide a strong academic foundation for future professional pilots, complementing the exceptional practical skills they’ve developed with us. At EFTA, we continue to elevate aviation education and prepare the next generation of skilled aviators, further supporting the GCAA* and strengthening the UAE's aviation industry.”

The Diploma, with 94 credit hours, paves the path for cadets to obtain Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from any university. Every cadet in the class of 2024 completed around 113 weeks of training with over 1,100 hours of ground-based and 270 hours of flight training. Located in Dubai South, the Academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 32 training aircraft to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying.

This year marked a brand new chapter in EFTA’s international journey as the academy is well on its way to achieving European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) accreditation in early 2025. With this, cadets who graduate from EFTA will receive both a GCAA and an EASA** licence, opening doors to exceptional career opportunities worldwide.