Saudi aviator Balqis Alfaraj has made history after successfully completing her Airbus A320 type rating, becoming the first woman pilot at Saudia, the Kingdom’s national airline.
Alfaraj announced the milestone on LinkedIn, saying she was proud to become the first female pilot at Saudia. She also thanked her family, instructors and mentors for their support and guidance, and Saudia for believing in its employees.
Her new qualification allows her to operate the Airbus A320, one of the most widely used aircraft families in commercial aviation. Reports identifying her position describe Alfaraj as a First Officer, rather than the captain or person commanding the aircraft.
The achievement is significant within Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, where women have increasingly taken on roles across the industry. Saudi women had already entered commercial aviation through other airlines, making Alfaraj’s achievement specifically notable for her becoming the first female pilot at the national carrier.
Alfaraj’s professional profile lists her as a commercial pilot holding licences from both the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) in Saudi Arabia and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Her LinkedIn profile also shows her association with Saudia.
In her announcement, Alfaraj described completing the A320 qualification as an important milestone and expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout her journey. She also said she was looking forward to the next stage of her career.
Her milestone comes as Saudi Arabia continues to develop its aviation industry under the Kingdom’s broader transformation plans, with a strong focus on expanding the sector and developing national talent.
