The appointment of Maha Al Balushi as the first female Omani Captain for Oman Air marks a significant milestone in the country’s aviation sector. At a ceremony conducted at Oman Air’s headquarters in Muscat, Maha Al Balushi was formally promoted to Captain, the latest in a long list of firsts she has accomplished throughout her decade-long career with the airline.
As Maha Al Balushi said, “My goal in life has always been to reach the rank of Captain.” It hasn’t been easy, but with the help of my loved ones, my training team, and the airline, I’ve succeeded in my objectives. I consider it a great privilege to serve in this capacity, and I sincerely wish that my example would encourage other Omani women to choose an aviation career.
Senior Vice President of Flight Operations for Oman Air Captain Moosa Al Shidhani said, “We are thrilled to have Ms. Al Balushi as our first female Omani Captain, and we believe this is just the beginning of great things to come. This is a milestone for our airline and Oman’s aviation industry. We are honoured to lead in its progress by continuing to nurture Omani talent in all areas of our operations.”
Maha Al Balushi has worked with Oman Air since 2010; after graduating from the cadet programme at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), she was the only woman enrolled. Ms. Al Balushi made headlines in 2013 when she became Oman’s first female First Officer.
Oman Air has a proactive strategy of recognising and encouraging exceptional and competent women in their chosen fields. Almost 1,230 Omani female employees contribute to the airline’s strength today, representing a variety of levels and jobs such as cabin crew, aircraft operations, engineering, airport services, marketing, customer service, sales, and communications. Furthermore, with a 94% Omanisation rate (excluding female cabin crew), the airline offers a wide range of professional development options, as well as internships and graduate training programmes that broaden the horizons of young Omanis.
