Dubai: In the week that the UAE celebrates its fortieth anniversary, the remarkable story of this airline's rise from a startup with two planes to one of the world's most recognized airlines once again draws attention to the man who piloted its inaugural flight - Captain Fazal Ghani, a Pakistani pilot who calmly etched his name in aviation history with his professionalism. On October 25, 1985, Captain Ghani, who was then a senior pilot at Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), commanded Emirates flight EK600 from Dubai to Karachi, the first service of the fledgling airline. This short flight over the Arabian Sea marked the beginning of Emirates' global journey, a journey that now spans six continents and connects over 140 cities. In an interview about his role in the early days of the company, Captain Ghani said, "That initial flight was more than just a flight; it was the beginning of a dream. We were building something from scratch, with limited resources but boundless determination." He also highlighted Pakistan's role in the birth of Emirates, stating, "Before the first flight took place, the UAE government reached out to Pakistan for support in establishing its new national airline. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) provided technical and operational assistance and leased an Airbus A300B4-200." Over time, Emirates has transformed into a global brand, and along this journey, Captain Ghani is remembered as one of the key figures in the company's history. Not only did he operate Emirates' first flight, but he also fostered a spirit of collaboration and effort among the employees and board of the company. The memory of Captain Fazal Ghani will always remain in the heart of Emirates and the aviation industry.