Maple News reports on the inspiring journey of Nour Utayim, a Syrian refugee who has soared from conflict to captaincy in Canada’s far north. Her remarkable transformation is a testament to resilience, opportunity, and the power of immigration pathways that unlock meaningful careers for skilled newcomers.
As a child growing up in Syria, Nour dreamed of becoming a pilot, inspired by her grandfather and father, both aviators. But when civil war shattered her nation, she was forced to shelve that dream and turn to engineering instead. The dream of flight, however, never fully faded.
In 2017, Nour arrived in Quebec through Canada’s refugee resettlement program. Settling in Saint-Bruno, a suburb of Montreal, she soon rediscovered her passion for aviation. Within two years, she had earned both her commercial pilot licence and an instructor rating — a feat made possible by Canada’s supportive immigration policies, language training programs, and access to affordable flight education.
By late 2021, she had joined Air Inuit as a first officer. The airline, which services Nunavik, southern Quebec and parts of Nunavut, plays a vital role in delivering cargo, passengers, and urgent medical transport to isolated Arctic communities. With each mission, Nour honed her piloting skills in extreme conditions: flying into short gravel runways amid snowstorms, wind shear, and limited visibility.
Soon, she was at the helm of King Air 350 aircraft, performing challenging medevac missions to evacuate critically ill patients from remote communities to larger hospitals in Montreal. Often flying in the middle of the night during polar winters, she describes the experience as deeply fulfilling. “It feels like a humanitarian mission,” she shared with Maple News.
Earlier in 2025, Nour was promoted to captain — a rare achievement in an industry where women make up only about 5% of commercial pilots, and even fewer in command roles. Today, she leads flight crews with skill and confidence, all while serving as a symbol of what refugee newcomers can contribute when given the tools to succeed.
Her work has a direct impact on the 14,000 residents of Nunavik, many of whom rely solely on aircraft for medical evacuations, fresh food, and critical infrastructure. Fluent in French, English, and Arabic, Nour bridges cultural and linguistic divides and brings deep empathy to every interaction — both in the cockpit and on the ground.
Canada’s aviation industry, currently facing a pilot shortage, is increasingly looking to immigrants to fill the gap. Nour’s success serves as a roadmap for others: strengthen language skills to at least ICAO Level 4, apply to accredited flight schools, explore newcomer funding options, and seek early experience with regional airlines serving Canada’s underserved areas.
Her journey is equal parts personal triumph and proof of Canada’s evolving immigration model — where humanitarian support meets long-term talent strategy. For Nour Utayim, and countless others like her, Canada didn’t just offer refuge — it offered flight.