Emirates to hire 17,300 staff as race for talent takes off

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Emirates Group to hire 17,300 people across 350 roles over the next year

Emirates Group, which includes Emirates airline and travel services giant Dnata, says it will hire 17,300 people across 350 roles this financial year, from pilots to baggage handlers.

The global talent search covers many roles, including pilots, cabin crew, engineers, customer service, ground handling, catering, IT and finance. Of those 17,300 new hires, Dnata is looking to onboard more than 4,000 cargo, catering and ground handling specialists.

The Group, whose profits reached record highs for the financial year ending 31 March 2025 to become the world’s most profitable airline, will host more than 2,000 open days and events in 150 cities and aims to engage with UAE students and graduates.

Putting the latest intake into perspective, Emirates Group has onboarded more than 41,000 staff since 2022, and has a total workforce of 121,000. In the last financial year, ending March 2025, it received more than 3.7 million job applications.

“We’re seeking world-class talent to fuel our bold ambition, redefine the future of aviation, and continue our commitment and culture of innovation and excellence,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.

Emirates airline ground staff

Regional aviation demand booms as talent war looms

The move by Emirates Group reflects the growth of Dubai’s iconic aviation company and also increased competition in the region as demand booms and a talent war looms.

That’s because Middle East airlines are seeing record growth, with the region generating the highest net profit per passenger worldwide, more than three times the global average, according to IATA.

Established major regional carriers such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways are scrambling to train and hire pilots, plus the additional and essential staff required for airlines to expand operations.

Emirates is expected to grow its fleet to 350 aircraft by 2030, up 32.6% from 264 aircraft currently, while Etihad recently announced the addition of 18 new aircraft before the end of 2025, taking its total to 88.

The situation is amplified by the growing ambitions of Saudi Arabia to become a global aviation player, with Riyadh Air recruiting aggressively as it aims to launch operations in 2025 and connect the kingdom to more than 100 destinations by 2030, supported by a fleet of 132 aircraft.

Emirates to fleet to 350 aircraft by 2030

Airlines scramble to tackle global pilot shortage

Airlines globally are struggling to tackle the critical pilot shortage, as many flyers reach retirement age and training to replace them has not kept pace with aviation’s relentless growth.

According to consultancy Oliver Wyman, there is likely to be a global gap of 80,000 pilots by 2032, with the Middle East set to face a shortage of 18,000 pilots, the biggest deficit outside North America.

Latest estimates suggest the need for more than 650,000 pilots by 2043. This is also pushing up salaries dramatically, with chief pilots reportedly earning 49% more in 2024 compared to 2023.

Dubai-based Emirates becomes world’s most profitable airline

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To combat this, many airlines, like UAE-based Flydubai, are launching their own pilot training programmes to meet increasing demand rather than rely on traditional pilot schools like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, is even giving employees full scholarships to train as airline pilots, with its Employee Cadet Pilot Programme open to all employees.

Emirates has its own flight training academy at Dubai World Central (DWC) where students can learn the skills required to become a commercial airline pilot, with 290 cadets from 23 countries currently undergoing training.

For more information, visit www.emirates.com