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The aviation world is celebrating a historic milestone as 26-year-old Maya Ghazal officially earned her "wings" to become the world’s first female Syrian commercial pilot from a refugee background. Now a Second Officer for TUI Airline, Ghazal is navigating the controls of a Boeing 737, proving that dreams can indeed take flight regardless of where a journey begins. Her story is a profound narrative of resilience, identity, and the power of a second chance in a new homeland.
Maya’s path to the cockpit was paved with challenges that would have grounded many. In 2015, at just 15 years old, she fled the war-torn streets of Damascus to join her father in the United Kingdom through a family reunification program. Arriving with little more than a bag of teddy bears and no knowledge of the English language, her first nights in Britain were spent in a hotel near Heathrow Airport. While most saw the roaring engines overhead as a reminder of the world they left behind, Maya saw them as a gateway to a future she could control.
As a practicing Muslim, Maya’s faith has been an anchor throughout her rigorous training. She has spoken openly about the intersection of her religious identity and her professional life, often highlighting how her hijab is a symbol of her heritage and personal strength. In an industry where only 5% of pilots are women, and even fewer are Muslim women who wear the headscarf, Maya stands as a visible and vocal advocate for diversity. She recently shared her experiences at an aviation conference in Switzerland, describing herself as a "hijabi-wearing Syrian refugee" who once never thought she would be allowed past airport security, let alone into a cockpit.
Her educational journey in the UK was equally transformative. After teaching herself English, Maya secured a place at Brunel University London, where she graduated with a degree in Aviation Engineering with Pilot Studies. By 2020, she had obtained her private pilot’s license, but her ambitions were set on the commercial sector. In 2023, she was selected for TUI’s intensive 19-month cadet program, successfully passing all 13 grueling Airline Pilot License exams.
Family remains the core of Maya’s success. During her pilot certification ceremony at Aerospace Bristol, her mother, Rimah Darkachli, watched with tears of pride, reflecting on the decade-long journey from displacement to triumph. Maya’s brothers and her father—who initially sought asylum alone to pave the way for the family—have been her most steadfast supporters. While she maintains a busy professional schedule and serves as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Maya also finds joy in her personal life. She is currently in a relationship with her British boyfriend and has embraced British traditions, such as learning to play charades and celebrating the holiday season as a time of national belonging.
Today, Maya Ghazal is not just flying passengers to holiday destinations across Europe; she is dismantling stereotypes with every takeoff. Now a British citizen, she views her role as a pilot as a way to give back to the country that gave her a new life. As she looks toward a future of eventually becoming a Captain, her message to young women and refugees worldwide is clear: do not let war or prejudice clip your wings. With resilience and the right opportunities, the sky is truly the limit.
