In commemoration of Emirati Women’s Day, Sharjah International Airport Authority highlights the significant role of its female leaders and their contributions across various sectors. This initiative underlines the vital impact of Emirati women in shaping the UAE’s future and their influential presence in numerous fields.
Empowering National Competence
The Authority has confirmed that Emirati women constitute an impressive 77.78% of the national leadership positions within Sharjah Airport. These leaders are dispersed across various departments and specialties, including financial management, strategic planning and performance, human resources, marketing and communications, project management, and maintenance of air navigation systems. This remarkable diversity showcases the extensive participation of women in administrative, strategic, technical, and engineering roles, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency and performance.
The Authority celebrates its female workforce under the slogan “Her Impact on Every Journey,” illuminating examples of national proficiency in key positions across multiple domains, where Emirati women have become integral to the airport’s operations.
Impact Across Sectors
This prominent presence is exemplified through various Emirati leaders who undertake crucial responsibilities within Sharjah Airport’s operational framework. These individuals blend management expertise with strategic insights and technical proficiency.
In finance, Sarah Mohammed Al-Madfa, the Director of Financial Management, oversees the management of financial resources and operations, ensuring the airport meets its growing demand while enhancing its financial system. Her achievements include winning a distinguished performance award in finance.
Sarah Al-Madfa remarked, “Financial work is one of the key foundations supporting operational efficiency and sustainability. We are committed to continually developing our resource management systems to align with the growth and future aspirations of Sharjah Airport. The presence of Emirati women in this field enhances our capacity to take on responsibilities and contribute effectively towards achieving the Authority’s goals.”
Meanwhile, in the domain of communication and marketing, Alia Obaid Al-Hosani Al-Shamsi, Director of the Communication and Marketing Department, is at the forefront of marketing strategies and supervises strategic communications and media relations. Her efforts have significantly bolstered the Sharjah Airport brand and enhanced traveller experience, earning her a spot on Forbes Middle East’s list of the most influential marketing executives for 2026.
Alia Al-Shamsi stated, “The presence of Emirati women in leadership roles exemplifies the level of expertise and competence women have achieved in taking responsibility and participating in decision-making across the various pathways at Sharjah Airport, supporting its growth and adapting to the demands of the aviation sector. The slogan ‘Her Impact on Every Journey’ gains tangible meaning throughout our operations and the traveller experience.”
In terms of strategic planning, Leila Ali Al-Hermoudi, Director of Institutional Development, leads efforts in formulating and monitoring strategic plans, aligning them with the Authority’s future directions. Additionally, she develops performance measurement systems and strategic indicators, enhancing monitoring efficiency and supporting decision-making processes. One of the prominent achievements of her department is the establishment and launch of the Sharjah Airport Excellence Award “My Airport”, which fosters a culture of excellence and motivates talents to improve institutional performance.
Leila Al-Hermoudi asserts, “Strategic planning is fundamental in translating future visions and directions into clear, measurable objectives and indicators. The development of our performance system and the reinforcement of a culture of excellence are at the core of this role. We take pride in the contributions of Emirati women in shaping plans and developing initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and align with Sharjah Airport’s aspirations.”
In the realm of internal auditing, Dr Leila Al-Qaydi, Director of the Internal Audit Office, leads the auditing and internal control system. She supervises the evaluation of institutional controls, risk management, and compliance levels, thereby reinforcing governance and transparency principles while enhancing operational efficiency and institutional sustainability.
Dr Leila Al-Qaydi commented, “Internal auditing is a pivotal component of supporting institutional governance and enhancing performance efficiency and risk management. We strive within the Internal Audit Office to apply the best global practices and professional standards, creating added value for the institution and aiding decision-making. We believe that Emirati competencies, particularly Emirati women, continue to play an active role across various professional specialties, contributing to achieving institutional excellence and advancing sustainable development.”
The influence of female leadership extends to technical specialties as well. Aisha Ahmed Al-Yasy, Director of Air Navigation Systems Maintenance, oversees the maintenance of air navigation systems, ensuring their readiness and efficiency, thereby supporting operational safety and air traffic flow. Notable projects she has managed include the refurbishment of aircraft taxiways and the upgrading of runway lighting from halogen to LED technology, which has enhanced the airport’s systems efficiency and supported operational sustainability.
Aisha Al-Yasy emphasized, “The presence of Emirati women in technical and engineering fields reflects confidence in their competencies and abilities to assume responsibilities directly related to operational safety and efficiency. Working in air navigation systems maintenance requires high precision, continuous readiness, and keeping pace with technological advancements, and we take pride in our role in developing these systems and ensuring their efficiency to support Sharjah Airport’s operational sustainability.”
Sharjah International Airport Authority continues to develop national female competencies and expand their participation across various specialties, supporting its strategic vision and objectives, while enhancing their role in the evolution and sustainable growth of the airport.