United Arab Emirates – Emirates has confirmed it will recruit pilots in “three digits” during its 2026 financial year and expand its in-house training infrastructure with new full-flight simulators, including the airline’s first Boeing 777-9 simulator.
- The airline plans to hire 1,500 pilots between 2025 and 2026, with 550 of those positions already scheduled for 2025. Emirates previously hired 2,000 pilots between 2022 and 2025.
- Emirates currently employs 4,800 pilots and maintains a pool of shortlisted candidates for future intake.
- The recruitment push aligns with Emirates' fleet expansion, including a new order for 65 Boeing 777X aircraft and 8 Airbus A350-900s, adding to its existing 269-aircraft fleet.
- Emirates recently inaugurated its $135 million flight crew training centre, which spans over 63,000 square feet in Dubai.
- The centre currently operates 13 simulators — six Boeing 777-300ER, five Airbus A380, and two A350 units.
- Three new simulators are being added: one Boeing 777, one A350, and the first Boeing 777-9 simulator, which is expected to become operational by mid-2026.
- Captain Bader Al Marzooqi, Senior Vice President of Flight Training at Emirates, said the airline is proactively managing future needs, noting, “A high demand for pilots exists and will continue to exist.”
- Emirates reports minimal pilot loss to competitors, including new entrants like Riyadh Air.
Source: Local Media Reporting and Emirates
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