Capt. Al Hamili awarded for pioneering in aviation and diplomacy

Captain Aysha Al Hamili, UAE Permanent Representative to the council of ICAO, received an international award for her work as a pioneering pilot and diplomat from the UAE.

The award was presented by Daughters for Life Foundation, a Canadian-based foundation that aims to advance the education and health of girls and women in the Middle East.

The awarding ceremony took place in Toronto last week and was attended by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, President of Daughters for Life foundation. The foundation awards pioneering personalities who inspire and help to provide young women throughout the Middle East with opportunities for education and leadership.

Al Hamili said: ““It is a special honor and I feel proud to be part of this great initiative by the Daughters for Life Foundation. This award truly motivates and encourages women from different walks of life to inspire and motivate others."

Capt Al Hamili is the first Arab woman to receive the trailblazer luminary award. She was awarded along with the First Canadian astronaut among other high profile personalities.

Capt. Al Hamili currently heads the UAE Permanent Diplomatic Mission to ICAO. When she was appointed in 2009, she was the youngest-ever Permanent Representative accredited to the ICAO and the first Arab female, and the only female on the council. Her career started with a dream of becoming a pilot, and she became the First UAE female pilot when she obtained her Private Pilot License (PPL) in 1998 at the age of 16.

She is a Commercial/Instrument Pilot License (CPL/IR) holder and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI/CFII).