Emirates Group launches massive hiring drive; check out pilot, cabin crew salaries

Emirates Group will be hosting more than 2,100 open days and other talent acquisition events in 150 cities to recruit pilots, IT professionals, engineers, and talent for cabin crew roles this year.

Overall, the group is looking to hire 17,300 people as part of its latest global talent scouting and acquisition drive across 350 roles.

These roles span every facet, function and operations across Emirates, the world’s most profitable and largest international airline, and dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider.

Hundreds of new recruits are required across some roles, including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, commercial and sales teams, customer service, ground handling, catering, IT, HR and finance. dnata is looking to hire more than 4,000 cargo, catering and ground handling specialists.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO, Emirates Airline & Group, said: “The Emirates Group’s people strategy is anchored in Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 and our own projected growth and expansion. 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. This is an opportunity for skilled and talented professionals to play a stellar role in our future, our strategy, and our growth story.”

Since 2022, the group has onboarded more than 41,000 talented professionals, including nearly 27,000 in various operational roles, and today has a 121,000-strong workforce.

The group has always been a top talent magnet and an employer of choice both in the UAE and globally. In the last financial year, the group received more than 3.7 million applications for roles spanning all its brands and departments, with candidates attracted by its brand power, global reputation, people-first strategy, tax-free salary and top-notch benefits, and its renowned training, development, and recognition programmes.

For Dubai-based employees, benefits at the Emirates Group include profit share eligibility, comprehensive medical and life insurance cover, a whole range of travel benefits including flight tickets – annual leave, service-related, and concessional ones for self, family, wider family and friends – concessional cargo rates, and membership cards that provide discounts at hundreds of retail, hospitality and lifestyle outlets.

The airline has already listed several roles on its website, such as direct entry captain, first officer, cabin crew, and several corporate and engineering roles.

Direct entry captains who wish to work for Emirates and fly their A350s or A380s will need a minimum of 7,000 hours total flying time multi-crew, multi-engine (only time in the operating seat of a turboprop and/or turbojet aircraft can be counted, not simulator time).

The perks include a tax-free salary of Dh481,200 per annum (Dh40,100 per month, or $131,007 per year) based on an average of 85 hours per month, along with company-provided accommodation, including utilities. The airline will also provide education allowance of Dh52,250 for primary and Dh79,750 for secondary, for up to three children.

Pilots will also be eligible for an annual profit share (based on company performance), along with 42 calendar days annual leave. Other benefits include annual leave tickets and Emirates Platinum card discount.

The group will also be hiring several cabin crew members, and has listed the criteria aspiring candidates must meet.

They should have had more than a year’s experience in hospitality/customer service, and a positive attitude and the natural ability to provide excellent service in a team environment, dealing with people from many cultures.

The minimum qualification is high school (Grade 12).

Candidates will also need to be fluent in written and spoken English, with the ability to speak another language being an advantage.

They should be at least 160cm tall and should be able to reach 212 cm while standing on tiptoes, to enable them to reach emergency equipment on all aircraft types.

Importantly, they should not have any visible tattoos while in Emirates cabin crew uniform.

Their salary will be tax-free and will comprise three components: a fixed basic salary, an hourly pay for operated flights and an overseas meal allowance.

Basic salary will be Dh4,430 a month, along with flying pay of Dh63.75 an hour based on avg. 80-100 hours a month. Average total pay will come to Dh10,170 per month.