Aisha al-Mansoori, an Etihad pilot, became UAE's first female Emirati commercial captain after earning her stripes, reports Al Arabiya.

The 33-year-old Emirati has been a pilot for Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, since she initially began working for the company in 2007.

The carrier has appointed al-Mansoori as the UAE's first female Emirati Captain in a commercial airline just days before the nation celebrates its annual Emirati Women's Day, which strives to commemorate the country's progress on women's empowerment, reports Al Arabiya.

"I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to join Etihad's Cadet Pilot program and grow my career over the years with Etihad. I am thankful for the tremendous support I have received from my instructors at Etihad and for their guidance through my training, which has shaped my skills and prepared me for the rank of Captain.

"I am proud to be the first female Emirati to be a Captain in a commercial airline, and I hope I will be an inspiration to young women to follow this career path," she said.

The command upgrade event was held in the airline's Crew Briefing Centre in the presence of the pilot's family, her fellow pilots from Etihad, and senior management from the airline, according to Al Arabiya.