Empowering Women in Aviation: Thays Emilly’s Global Flight Path

In an industry traditionally dominated by men, many women are making their mark in aviation. Captain Thays Emilly is a fantastic example. Her perseverance helped her reach the milestone of becoming an international airline captain, a goal that once seemed out of reach for many women.  

Thays’s journey began when she was just18. She trained in both Brazil and Florida, gaining technical skills while also welcoming a wider cultural perspective that has been incredibly valuable throughout her international career. 

In 2018, she started working with Azul Linhas Aéreas, one of Brazil’s leading airlines. Over the following five years, she developed both professionally and personally, all the while holding onto her dream of flying internationally. Even outside of work, Thays stayed focused on her goal, earning her ATPL licence in Florida and preparing for the next chapter in her career. 

That chapter came in May 2023, with the help and support of Brookfield Aviation. Thays took on an international role with BermudAir, which brought a whole new set of challenges, including flying in unfamiliar environments. Alongside those obstacles, however, her passion for flying was renewed, and she grew even more as a pilot in the process. 

Over the past two decades, the number of women pilots has been growing steadily, although progress varies in different parts of the world. For example, in the United States, the number of women with pilot certificates almost doubled between 2010 and 2020. By the end of 2024, women made up 10.8% of all FAA-certified pilots, including 5.5% of airline transport pilots.  

These figures show that positive change is happening, but they also remind us that there is still work to be done. More women are starting to work in aviation, and they are really changing how the industry works.  

Thanks to ongoing efforts from training programmes, airlines, and worldwide organisations, the aviation industry is heading toward a future that is more inclusive, diverse, and full of opportunity for everyone. 

At Brookfield Aviation, we are proud to have been part of Thays’s story. Now, at 31 years old, she is living her dream as an international captain. We are honoured to have supported her along the way and look forward to seeing where her career takes her next.