Emirates Flight Training Academy Graduates 77 Next Generation Pilots

Emirates has today announced that Emirates Flight Training Academy’s sixth class has Graduated 77 new pilots.

In frame: (center) His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group, (from left to right) Captain Nabil Al Boom Emirates' Manager National Cadet Pilot Programme, Captain Bader Al Marzooqi Emirates' Senior Vice President Flight Training, Adel Al Redha, Emirates' Deputy President & Chief Operations Officer, Captain Hassan Alhammadi Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations, David Kistruck, Principal Emirates Flight Training Academy, Oliver Grohmann, Emirates' Executive Vice President Human Resources - Courtesy Emirates

On Tuesday (December 16, 2025), Emirates announced that following months of intensive training, 77 highly skilled cadets have successfully turned their ambition to achievement at the Emirates Flight Training Academy’s (EFTA) sixth graduation ceremony.  This annual milestone adds to EFTA’s growing legacy of creating a robust pipeline of trained pilots for Emirates and the airline industry with over 300 cadets graduating to date.  The graduation ceremony was attended by The Emirates Group’s senior leadership team, graduates, their families and friends, and the academy’s faculty and cadets.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Dubai, Emirates Airline and Group’s Chairman and CEO, His Highness, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said,

“Emirates Flight Training Academy’s graduation ceremony symbolises the setting of a stronger foundation for global aviation and a promise that its future rests in the hands of committed, capable, resilient leaders.  Our graduates will now proudly wear their wings, connect the world, uphold the highest standards of safety and service, and shape the world of aviation.  Each one of our graduates today is a testament to potential and perseverance.  Together, they represent our commitment to building a steady stream of aviators who will carry Dubai’s vision to the skies. Congratulations, graduates – you have made us proud.”

At today’s ceremony, 52 graduated represented Emirates Group’s UAE National Pilot Cadet Programme (NCPP), while 25 were from 15 other nations.  Over the last five years, EFTA has graduated more than 300 highly skilled cadets, of which most are flying or training at Emirates on the carrier’s widebody fleet.  NCPP is the UAE’s largest and most established initiative of its kind, created to cultivate future generations of highly skilled Emirati pilots. The cadets, who are fully sponsored by the Group, join EFTA.  After graduating, NCPP cadets have a clear pathway to flying with Emirates after completing their type rating.

Located in Dubai South, EFTA’s campus blends study with lifestyle, where cadets live in private studio apartments with access to amenities including a pool, gym, and recreation rooms.  This provides a comfortable environment so cadets can focus on their training, which can be quite rigorous, and avoid having to commute to the academy. EFTA’s facility is equal to 200 football fields, has 36 modern ground classrooms, six full motion flight simulators, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a dedicated 1,800-meter-long runway.  All classrooms are equipped with two 86-inch touchscreens, running bespoke training software created by Boeing.

Source: Emirates