JEDDAH: The Kingdom’s first woman pilot, Hanadi Zakaria Al-Hindi, 37, is optimistic about receiving the green signal from Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) to fly its commercial aircraft.
“I am studying offers from various UAE airlines to fly commercial planes, but still hope to be able to enter into a contract with Saudia,” she told the Emirati site, Seven Days.
About those who might mock her dream to work as a pilot in a country that does not allow women to drive four-wheelers, she responded, “I think it’s better to have a driver in order to avoid the suffering of looking for a parking spot, but piloting an aircraft is a profession, and the question of driving does not occupy Saudi women.”
Al-Hindi recently participated in the Arab Women’s Forum in Aviation in Dubai after completion of her contract with the company of Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
She expressed her appreciation to Prince Alwaleed, saying that he is one of her biggest supporters after her father in achieving the commercial pilot license from the Kingdom.
She said she benefited tremendously from the experience working with Prince Alwaleed, who owns a fleet of aircraft.
Kingdom’s first woman pilot has high ‘hopes’ to soar with Saudia
Kingdom’s first woman pilot has high ‘hopes’ to soar with Saudia
Saudi Scouts Association unveils environmental protection program
- Public service and education program to encourage responsible behavior among young people, says SASA leader
RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Scouts Association has launched a new environmental protection program at King Salman Wildlife Park in Banban, north of Riyadh, marking a renewed commitment to conservation and youth engagement in sustainability efforts.
The SASA initiative, unveiled in the presence of role players from various scouting sectors, brought together partners from government agencies and private-sector organizations, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
The program reflects growing collaboration between civic groups and national institutions to advance environmental protection goals across the Kingdom.
Abdulrahman Al-Mudaris, the SASA’s secretary-general, said the initiative underscores the scouts’ active role in supporting national strategies to preserve natural resources and promote sustainable development.
He said environmental scouting was a public service activity and educational approach designed to instill environmental awareness and encourage responsible behavior among young people.
The launch event featured the sowing of seeds and planting of seedlings throughout the park to support vegetation growth and enhance biodiversity, the SPA reported.
Founded in 1961, the SASA is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement and operates under the umbrella of the Ministry of Education.
Over the decades, Saudi scouts have played a visible role in community service, disaster response, and public event organization, including supporting pilgrim services during Hajj and Umrah seasons.
