When passion for flying takes wings

From an excited child taking the first flight with her mother to turning a full-fledged pilot, it has been a dream journey for 26-year-old Nassreen Abdul Hamid Al-Hamadah, who was recently inducted into the Arabian Section of the International Organization of Women Pilots (IOWP).
The eldest of five siblings, Al-Hamadah, who hails from Dammam, now aims to become a full-time pilot for any airline in Saudi Arabia. With assistance from the Ninety-Nines — as the IOWP is referred to internationally — she would be able to log in more flying hours now.
The passion for flying took wings when Al-Hamadah was still a child, boarding a flight for the first time with her mother. “At first, I figured I would like to be a flight attendant. But, my interest evolved and developed more toward technical aspects, on how to fly a plane,” she said.
With the single-minded determination to take to the skies, Al-Hamadah graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Air Transportation from the Manila-based Philippine Air Transport and Training Services. She said she was speechless when she first flew a plane as a requirement for her graduation. “I was so proud and excited. When I disembarked from the aircraft, I realized that, wow, I was the one who flew the plane,” Al-Hamadah exclaimed.
Thanking her parents for the whole-hearted support extended to her, she said: “First, this is my self-fulfillment, since it’s been my dream. Second, I am happy to bring honor to my family. Not everybody is given a chance to travel, especially in Saudi Arabia. Not all parents would allow their children to learn how to fly, particularly women,” she said.
Besides Al-Hamadah, the Arabian Section of IOWP, led by its Governor Alia Twal of Royal Jordanian Airlines, also inducted four other lady pilots, taking the total number of members from the region to 36.
Through corporate sponsorship, the IOWP will promote the advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and moral support to women in the Middle East who are interested in becoming pilots.
After its successful event in Bahrain last month, the IOWP will be holding its second meeting this year in Abu Dhabi from Nov. 21 to 23.