IAA Launches New Aviation Scholarship to Empower Arab Women Pilots

• New scholarship initiative introduced by Intercontinental Aviation Academy (IAA) in Dubai
• Designed to boost the number of Arab female pilots working in the aviation sector
• Launched at the Women in Aviation Middle East Conference & Awards

Intercontinental Aviation Academy (IAA) has introduced a new scholarship scheme to enhance the number of Arab women working in aviation, launched at the Women in Aviation Middle East Conference & Awards in Dubai. The program is meant to encourage women throughout the region to pursue a career in aviation, a big step toward promoting diversity in the sector.

The program provides a complete EASA ATPL Modular Programme, worth more than $105,000, in all tuition and flight training required to receive an Airline Transport Pilot License. It also offers ten fully funded Fundamentals of Aviation courses, worth a total of $35,000, providing young women with early exposure and fundamental knowledge in aviation.

IAA CEO Captain Wissam Mehyou and President of Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter Mervat Sultan unveiled the scholarship on stage in front of a gathering of international aviation industry leaders, female professionals, and students. The applications will be assessed and the winners chosen by an advisory board headed by Women in Aviation Middle East. The scholarship is available to women and young people from Arab nations, and all the training will be at IAA's state-of-the-art facilities in the UAE.

Applications will be available at the close of May 2025, with recipients being announced at the Women in Aviation Middle East annual meeting in November. IAA highlighted that this program will be a game-changer for female aviators-to-be across the Arab world and plays its part in the long-term goal of a more representative and inclusive aviation industry.