Airline hiring blitz: Pilots, cabin crew, tech experts, data scientists needed

AIRLINE HIRING BLITZ: A strong demand for pilots, cabin crew, ground and support staff in most regions across the globe is driven by a sharp increase in air travel, new players entering the market and big tourism developments happening.

TRAVEL GROWS: As travel rebounds, the demand for pilots is set to outstrip supply in most regions, according to an industry report. Airlines, too, have faced a growing need to accelerate hiring efforts. Travel industry recovery has already resulted in Dubai International increase its annual forecast for 2022 to 62.4 million passengers.

PILOTS, AIRCRAFT TECHNICIANS: Emirates, which has been recruiting pilots and cabin crew since 2021, is looking to take on more First Officers amid a surge in travel demand. First officers will have a monthly basic pay of Dh30,826, with a housing allowance of up to Dh15,500. Emirates also offers an education allowance of up to Dh42,750 for primary school-goers and Dh65,250 for secondary.

HIGH DEMAND: Supply is currently limited as pilots are subject to a global protocol that mandates a retirement age of 65. Many retired, or found other jobs, during the pandemic and — for two years — no new pilots were trained. In the Middle East, the demand for pilots is likely to persist between this year and 2024, with similar if not greater demand felt across the world, according to management consultancy Oliver Wyman.

AVIATION JOB ESTIMATES: Boeing, the US plane-maker, has estimated that 602,000 new pilots are needed in the next 20 years. Moreover, the company foresees 610,000 new aviation maintenance jobs to open during the same period.

CABIN CREW: Over the next two decades, Boeing also projects that 899,000 new cabin crew members will be needed to fly and maintain the global commercial aviation fleet. In the short term,. Etihad has announced it’s hiring up to 1,000 new cabin crew, recruiting in 10 countries (including Egypt, Lebanon, Russia, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, UAE). Between now and March 2023, Singapore Airlines plans to hire about 2,000 cabin crew, according to chief executive Goh Choon Phong.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: Boeing’s industry outlook assumes continued investment in an uninterrupted pipeline of qualified personnel to replace those who either reached retirement age or opted for voluntary early retirement during the pandemic, the air-framer’s report stated.

GULF AIRLINES: With Gulf airlines, Qatar Airways was among the first to begin re-hiring pilots and cabin crew in 2021. Saudia, the Kingdom’s flag-carrier, is also on the lookout for the best talent as it aims to become profitable this year or early 2023.

GROUND STAFF: In Singapore, over 6,600 positions were open at the country’s airport. The country’s flag carrier, Singapore Airlines, is also ramping up its workforce given the rebound in travel to one of Asia's largest aviation hubs. In Europe, job sites have listed more than 400 ground operations posts, in addition to 345 airport security jobs.

REVIVAL: India’s Jet Airways, which has not flown since April 2019, is being revived under new owners. Jet is inviting applications for current and type-rated pilots on the Airbus A320, Boeing 737NG, or the 737 MAX aircraft for a planned September relaunch. It’s been actively recruiting staff across all divisions after obtaining its air operator certificate revalidated by India’s industry regulator.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS: Pre-COVID, United employed 9,000+ maintenance technicians around the world who work 24/7 to keep its fleet flying safely. Earlier this month (August), United reported hired around 1,000 people, as it expects to take deliveries of 500 new airplanes coming over the next few years.

DATA SCIENTISTS: For the airline business, data scientists collect, analyse, and interpret large data sets such as seating capacity, demand forecasts. Airlines also use AI systems with built-in machine learning algorithms to collect and analyse flight data regarding each route distance and altitudes, which they then use to develop data-driven solutions. They use data mining | analysis tools, build models, run simulations. The role will utilise their analytical, statistical, and coding skills.

TRAVEL REBOUND: As the need to fly and maintain commercial aircraft and airports humming heightened, the return of personnel furloughed during the pandemic will provide “only limited relief”, as many have already left the industry altogether, according to Boeing.

BOOSTING RANKS: Given that the pandemic has depleted the pilots’ ranks, the shortage could start as early as the end of this year, reaching an estimated 3,000 pilots by 2023, so an accelerated industry response needs to be taken.