Sheikha Aysha bint Rashid Al Khalifa, a prominent member of Bahrain’s royal family, recently made her debut at the Bahrain Air Show. Here’s everything you need to know about this accomplished royal and her extraordinary achievements.
Sheikha Aysha bint Rashid Al Khalifa made history at the Bahrain Air Show, becoming the first Bahraini female fighter pilot to participate in this prestigious event. She is the First Lieutenant in the Bahrain Royal Air Force and made headlines in 2018 with her groundbreaking inaugural flight as Bahrain’s first female fighter pilot.
Sheikha Aysha is the daughter of His Excellency Sheikh Rashid Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the renowned artist and Chairperson of Bahrain’s National Council for Arts, and Sheikha Luluwah Bint Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa. She is also the granddaughter of the late HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s former Prime Minister and uncle to King Hamad of Bahrain.
Following her graduation from high school, Sheikha Aysha decided to attend Sandhurst Military Academy. In 2017, she graduated, becoming the first Bahraini woman to complete the prestigious program. Her achievement was celebrated by her family and the people of Bahrain.
In February 2018, Sheikha Aysha bint Rashid earned a Class “C” light aircraft pilot’s license. She also passed the ground school examinations of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and obtained certifications in the simulator flight course, the automated flight course, and commercial flight training.
In 2018, under the proud watch of her grandfather, the late HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, as well as her father and brothers, Sheikha Aysha became the first Bahraini woman to pilot a Royal Bahraini Air Force jet. She took control of a Hawk aircraft for a one-hour demonstration flight from Sheikh Isa Air Base.
In addition to her impressive military duties, the accomplished Bahraini royal, Sheikha Aysha Bint Rashid Al Khalifa, is also dedicated to her royal engagements. Most recently, she graced the opening of the newest Bvlgari store in Bahrain.
