Let’s start with your story. Where did you grow up, and how did your upbringing shape who you are today?
I was born in Jerusalem, Palestine, to the best parents anyone could ask for: “Fayez and Fatemeh Abdelal”. They believed in me and gave me all the love and support. I grew up in a place where perseverance and resilience were not only valued but also necessary. From a young age, I was fascinated by how things work, curious about how bridges are made, and how airplanes and ships cross the world. That curiosity grew into a passion for engineering and eventually aviation, because to me, flight represents the perfect combination of science, innovation, and human aspiration.
My upbringing instilled in me two qualities that shaped my journey: resilience and commitment. Opportunities weren’t always handed to me; I had to look for them, push through challenges, and often carve my own path. For example, pursuing a career and advanced education abroad required adapting to new environments, staying strong and disciplined, and believing in the long-term value of hard work. That mindset has carried me through every stage of my life, whether during my studies or now leading ambitious and breakthrough projects. I see every challenge as an opportunity to grow, and every success as a responsibility to push further. My story is really about turning curiosity into purpose and never losing sight of the bigger picture: making a meaningful impact through innovation.
What drew you to aviation? Was there a particular moment or influence that sparked your interest in the industry?
Aviation has always fascinated me, but when I began working on the Aerial Taxi Project in 2018, my true passion for urban air mobility was sparked. The idea that flight can extend beyond airports and become part of everyday transportation, saving time and connecting people more efficiently, is incredibly inspiring to me. For me, aviation, and especially urban air mobility, is not just about technology; it’s about giving people speed and freedom of movement and reshaping cities for the future. That vision is what drew me into this industry and continues to drive my motivation.
Have you had your “I made it” moment yet? If so, can you tell us what it looked or felt like?
I don’t think I’ve had the big ‘I made it’ moment, but I definitely had many ‘special’ moments along the way, moments of success and wins, because I what I am doing in urban air mobility is being done for the first time ever, and the journey is still ongoing. But one moment that stands out was seeing the Aerial Taxi take flight during the demonstrations in Dubai. Watching an aircraft that so many people doubted could operate safely in Dubai’s environment was incredibly powerful. For me, it wasn’t about personal success, but about proving that this vision of air mobility could become real. It felt like a glimpse of the future, knowing that years of hard work, late nights, and persistence had led to a moment where innovation met reality. That gave me not only pride, but also a deep responsibility to keep pushing forward.
So while I wouldn’t say ‘I’ve made it,’ I would say that moment reminded me why I chose this path, to be part of reshaping how people move and to leave a positive impact on daily life.
Who is a woman in leadership who’s had a meaningful impact on you, and why?
My mother wasn’t in the aviation industry, but she demonstrated leadership through resilience, sacrifice, and an unshakable belief in the value of hard work. Watching her handle challenges with strength taught me that leadership is not just about titles, it’s about responsibility, determination, and lifting others up along the way.
What’s one piece of advice or motivation you would give to women who are balancing work, personal life, and striving to build a successful career, especially in a challenging industry like aviation?
My advice would be “never be afraid to do something new, even if it feels uncertain.” Aviation, and especially urban air mobility,y is all about entering unexplored territory. When I first started in this field, there were more questions than answers, but I learned that progress only happens when we step outside our comfort zones.
Balancing work, personal life, and career is never easy, but taking bold steps forward is what creates real opportunities. Each time you try something new, you’re not only growing yourself, but also opening doors for others and setting a powerful example for your children
If you had the power to change one key aspect of how advanced air mobility/urban air mobility is being developed today, what would you change?
If I could change one key aspect of how urban air mobility (UAM) is being developed today, it would be the pace and efficiency of regulations and certification. Technology is advancing rapidly, but regulatory frameworks and certification processes often move much slower, which creates a gap between innovation and implementation.
By giving more focused attention to certification pathways and making them more adaptive and efficient, regulators and innovators could work in closer partnership to bring UAM to life sooner. This will ensure safety and reliability, plus accelerate public acceptance by showing people that this new mode of transportation is both trusted and ready to improve daily life.
Dubai’s RTA UAM project is gaining attention, but public understanding is still catching up. From your perspective, what are people overlooking about what this project truly means for the city, its residents, and visitors? Could you also share more about the specific details of the project you’ve been involved in, what stage it’s at, and what excites you most?
I see the people of Dubai as very forward-thinking. They adapt quickly, welcome innovation, and truly appreciate the value that projects like this bring to the city, its residents, and its visitors. I’ve had the privilege of being involved in this project from the very beginning, working on the early studies, detailed planning, ecosystem development, partnerships, and execution. Today, our focus is on bringing the aerial taxi service to life and launching the first service of its kind in the world, a milestone that will not only shape the future of mobility in Dubai but also set an example globally.
We’d like to thank Ruba for sharing her story. She is a successful and inspiring leader in aviation. You can follow her on LinkedIn.