Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, plans to continue large-scale recruitment alongside its fleet expansion, aiming to hire between 2,500 and 3,000 employees per year over the next five years.
Following significant hiring in 2025—with over 3,200 new recruits and 2,200 internal promotions—CEO Antonoaldo Neves confirmed the airline will maintain a similar recruitment pace, aligned with adding approximately 20 aircraft annually.
Frontline roles remain a priority, with 2025 seeing the hiring of around 1,600 cabin crew and nearly 400 pilots. Internal promotions strengthened leadership, with 1,500 cabin crew and nearly 150 pilot promotions.
Etihad’s workforce now represents 152 nationalities, underscoring its global reach. The airline continues to focus on developing UAE National talent through cadet pilot programs and leadership initiatives.
The carrier expanded its fleet to a record 127 aircraft in 2025 and expects to continue receiving about 20 planes per year as part of its long-term growth strategy, supported by major aircraft orders announced recently.
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