Dubai: After months of rigorous training, 77 highly trained cadets successfully turned their ambition to achievement at the Emirates Flight Training Academy’s (EFTA) sixth graduation ceremony held in Dubai.

The Emirates Group’s senior leadership team, graduates, their families and friends, and the academy’s faculty and cadets attended the glittering ceremony. EFTA honoured five cadets for their exceptional achievements throughout the year – Abdulrahman Alnuaimi, Falah Alhosani, Giada Macario and Shaheer Bhatti. Saeed Abdulla was recognised for being the most diligent.

Out of 77 graduates 52 represent the Emirates Group’s UAE National Pilot Cadet Programme (NCPP), while 25 are from 15 other nations. In the last five years, EFTA has graduated over 300 highly skilled cadets, of which most are successfully flying or training at Emirates on the airline’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. Upon graduation, NCPP cadets have a clear pathway to flying with Emirates after completing their type rating.

Located in Dubai South, EFTA’s facility is equal to 200 football fields, has 36 modern ground classrooms, 6 full motion flight simulators, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a dedicated 1,800 m long runway. All classrooms are equipped with two 86” touchscreens, running bespoke training software created by Boeing.

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.

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