Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — The Oxford Aviation Academy will open its first branch in the MENA region in Dammam to train women pilots, Al-Watan reported.

Col. Othman Al-Mitairi, Oxford Aviation Academy’s MENA Region’s Director General and retired pilot, said women will be trained to become pilots flying commercially and in other aviation fields as equally as men.

“The announcement of opening the academy was done in Dubai Air Show on Sunday. The decision is approved by the General Authority for Civil Aviation. The academy will open in Dammam Airport on Jan. 1, 2018,” said Al-Mitairi.

He added the requirements for applying to the academy are the same for men and women applicants.

“Oxford Aviation Academy is one of the top academies in the world. British pilots who fought in World War II graduated from it. The requirements for the application are having a high school diploma, proficiency in English, passing the medical examination and passing another examination on ground,” said Al-Mitairi.

He added there is no age limit for applying to enter the academy.

“Men and women will be taught the same curriculum. We do have future plans to have female instructors and aviation trainers in the academy. The academy is a private entity but there are numerous financial aids. We have a number of partnering banks and companies who are willing to give interest-free loans,” said Al-Mitairi.

He also said graduating from Oxford Aviation Academy will qualify one to fly commercial airplanes internationally.

“The academy completely adheres the standards of the General Authority for Civil Aviation. Only 40 percent of pilots in the Saudi job market are Saudis and only two of them are women. We aspire to have 60,000 pilots and technicians over the next 20 years,” said Al-Mitairi.