Dubai Airports has unveiled a striking photo exhibition at Dubai International (DXB) to mark the 10th anniversary of Emirati Women’s Day, celebrating the contributions of Emirati women in aviation.
The gallery, titled Messages to Tomorrow, was launched in collaboration with the Dubai Airports Women’s Network (DAWN) under this year’s national theme, “Hand in Hand, We Celebrate 50 Years.” It highlights the role of women within the oneDXB community, featuring portraits of ten Emirati professionals whose work and dedication continue to shape the country’s aviation sector.
The portraits were captured by acclaimed Emirati photographer Hind Al Raeesi, who sought to portray the women beyond their roles, allowing their individual stories and aspirations to come through. Each image is paired with a handwritten personal message, reflecting on journeys of growth, lessons learned, and hopes for future generations of Emirati women in aviation.
Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Airports, praised the initiative for spotlighting the “everyday excellence” that women bring to the organisation.
“What makes this exhibition so special is its honesty and generosity in sharing their thoughts and wisdom,” Griffiths said. “These women aren’t here to play a role for the camera. They are here because every single day, they make Dubai Airports and DXB better. They are operations leaders, safety experts, guest experience professionals and more, who bring excellence to their work and empathy to their teams.”
Griffiths added that while aviation often marks milestones with large-scale announcements, “sometimes the most powerful impact comes from consistent dedication. These portraits are a chance to pause and truly see the women of the UAE who are behind the progress, and to reflect our wider commitment to building a diverse and inclusive oneDXB community.”
Photographer Al Raeesi described the experience of capturing the portraits as a privilege. “There’s something deeply moving about being trusted to capture someone’s story,” she said. “These women brought so much light into the session. You can see it in their smiles, in their posture, in the way they wrote their messages. Each one was filled with sincerity, kindness, and a clear sense of purpose.”
She added that the sessions revealed a different view of strength: “It reminded me that strength doesn’t always look serious or stoic. Sometimes it’s in how women carry joy, despite responsibility. I feel grateful to have spent time with each of them and to reflect their positivity and the power they bring to their roles every day.”
The exhibition is open to the public at Dubai International’s Terminal 3, Departure Gate 2, from 28 August to 11 September.
To mark Emirati Women’s Day more widely, Dubai Airports also organised community activities across Terminals 3 and 1. These included charm-making, candle-making with the Dubai Airports Youth Council, and crochet and sourdough workshops hosted by Dubai Police. Emirati women employees also had Polaroid portraits taken on arrival, forming a temporary wall display as a living tribute to their contributions.
The exhibition underscores Dubai Airports’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with organisers hoping it will inspire the next generation of Emirati women to enter and lead in aviation.
