Market Intelligence: Middle East

Emirates to Grow Active A380 Fleet to 110 in 2026

United Arab Emirates – Emirates has confirmed plans to expand its active Airbus A380 fleet to 110 aircraft by the end of 2026, reactivating additional airframes from long-term storage and committing to operate the type until 2041.

  • Emirates currently operates 95–96 A380s and will restore more frames after completing required maintenance and cabin upgrades.

  • Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, confirmed that the airline intends to keep the A380 in service for another 16 years, with the final retirement targeted for 2041.

  • Emirates originally purchased 116 of the 251 A380s ever built and has recently acquired additional examples from long-term lessors to support long-term operational needs.

Source: Emirates

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Emirates Seeks Airbus Captains as A350 Deliveries Drive Network Growth in 2026

United Arab Emirates – Emirates has opened new Direct Entry Captain positions to support the rapid expansion of its Airbus A350 fleet.

  • Emirates is recruiting Narrow-Body and Wide-Body Captains for the A350 and A380 fleets as part of a substantial long-term flight crew expansion plan.

  • Captains will benefit from a tax-free annual package of up to AED 1,185,000 (USD 320,000), inclusive of salary, flying pay, premium accommodation, education allowances, confirmed annual leave tickets, and extensive travel benefits.

  • Company-provided accommodation valued between AED 225,000–290,000 (USD 80,000) per year is included, with pilots housed in spacious villas within gated communities.

Minimum Qualifications

A350 Captains

  • Minimum 3,000 hours PIC on any Airbus FBW aircraft (A320/A330/A340/A350/A380)

  • Currently operating as Captain on Airbus FBW

A380 Captains

  • Minimum 3,000 hours PIC on Airbus FBW wide-body types (A330/A340/A350/A380)

  • Currently operating as Captain on Airbus FBW wide-body

General Requirements (All Airbus Captain Applicants)

  • Minimum 7,000 hours total flying time in multi-crew, multi-engine turboprop or turbojet aircraft (simulator time excluded)

  • Minimum 150 hours on Airbus FBW as Captain in the past 12 months

  • Valid ICAO ATPL with Class 1 Medical

  • ICAO English Level 5 or higher

For more information and to apply navigate to the Emirates Careers portal found here.

Source: Emirates

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CAE Appoints Alexandre Prévost as President of Civil Aviation to Lead Unified Training Division

Global – CAE has announced the appointment of Alexandre Prévost as President of Civil Aviation, consolidating its Commercial and Business Aviation Training divisions into a single, integrated global organization. The strategic restructuring is aimed at enhancing customer experience, improving operational efficiency, and accelerating CAE’s ongoing transformation across its civil aviation training network.

  • The decision unifies CAE’s commercial airline and business aviation training operations under one leadership structure to optimize resource utilization, standardize global processes, and strengthen alignment with customer requirements.

  • Alexandre Prévost, a 17-year CAE veteran, previously served as Division President, Business Aviation Training, and has also led Commercial Aviation Training for the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: CAE

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CAE Creates New Senior VP Role to Strengthen Operational Excellence Across Civil and Defense Units in 2026

Global – CAE has announced the creation of a new executive role, Senior Vice President, Operations, as part of its ongoing organizational transformation to strengthen operational performance and integration across its Civil Aviation and Defense divisions. Juan Araujo, a senior aerospace executive with more than 25 years of international experience, will assume the position in January 2026.

  • The newly established role is designed to enhance consistency, efficiency, and performance across CAE’s global products organization, driving greater collaboration and alignment between its civil training and defense technology businesses.

  • Mr. Araujo will oversee the integration of multiple functional areas—previously operating independently—into a unified end-to-end products team responsible for execution, quality, cost, and speed to market.

Source: CAE

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Air Arabia Launches 2025 A320 Pilot Recruitment Drive Across KSA and Pakistan

United Arab Emirates – Air Arabia, one of the Middle East and North Africa’s largest low-cost carrier, is further expanding its network and workforce as it strengthens its operational footprint across more than 200 routes from six hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan. The airline’s continued fleet and route growth is being matched by an extensive pilot and technical recruitment campaign across multiple markets.

  • In Q3 2025, Air Arabia reported a net profit of AED 656 million, representing a 16% year-on-year increase, reflecting sustained growth in passenger traffic, fleet utilization, and network development.

  • The airline has added 12 new destinations this year and expanded its fleet to 88 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, with further deliveries scheduled before the end of 2025.

  • To support its expanding operations, Air Arabia has launched a major recruitment drive targeting A320 Captains, First Officers, cabin crew, and technical professionals in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.

  • The positions include opportunities under Air Arabia’s Fly Jinnah (Pakistan) and Air Arabia DMM LLC (Saudi Arabia) subsidiaries, with 15-month fixed-term contracts available for Karachi-based pilots and long-term roles in Dammam.

Open Positions and Locations:

  • First Officer – Fly Jinnah, Karachi, Pakistan (15-month contract)

  • Captain – Fly Jinnah, Karachi, Pakistan (15-month contract)

  • A320 Captain – Air Arabia DMM, Dammam, KSA

  • A320 First Officer – Air Arabia DMM, Dammam, KSA

Minimum Experience and Qualifications:

  • Captains: 4,000–5,000 total flight hours (minimum 800 PIC hours on A320 for KSA); ATPL; valid Class 1 medical; A320 type rating

  • First Officers: 500–750 flight hours on A320; ATPL preferred; valid Class 1 medical; A320 type rating

  • Safety, CRM, and emergency response training desirable; low-cost carrier experience advantageous

  • English proficiency required; maximum ages: First Officer – 50 years / Captain – 59 years (KSA)

Source: Air Arabia

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Jetliner Aero Launches to Connect Aspiring Pilots with Global Training Opportunities

United Arab Emirates – Jetliner Aero has been officially launched by Tanvir Rahman, who serves as the company’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Based in the UAE, Jetliner Aero operates as an aviation training consultancy and student recruitment service, connecting aspiring pilots and aviation professionals from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa with leading global training providers.

  • The company provides advisory and placement services for a range of aviation disciplines, including pilot training pathways (PPL, CPL, ATPL – Integrated & Modular) and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) programs.

  • Jetliner Aero partners exclusively with EASA-approved training organizations (ATOs) across Spain, Greece, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, as well as FAA-approved flight schools in the United States, ensuring international training options for its clients.

  • Among its confirmed European partners are Superior Air (Greece) and Airman’s Ground School

Source: Jetliner Aero

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