JEDDAH: Just one month after Saudi Arabia lifted its decades-long ban on women driving, the kingdom is set to open its doors to train female pilots.
According to a Reuters report, Oxford Aviation Academy’s new branch in Dammam has already received applications from hundreds of women and is hoping to start lessons in September.
The flight school is the first of its kind to train both male and females of Saudi and non-Saudi origin will operates from King Fahad International Airport.
“People used to travel abroad (to study aviation), which was difficult for women more than men,” aspiring pilot Dalal Yashar told Reuters.
“We are no longer living in the era were women were allowed (to work) in limited areas. All avenues are now opened for women. If you have the appetite, you have the ability,” she said.