UAE jobs: Up to Dh34,000 monthly salary offered by Emirates as demand for pilots grows

Demand for pilots is increasing in the UAE, the region, and globally due to expansion in the aviation and tourism sectors.

“There is a definite increase in demand for pilots – not just in the UAE and the region, but globally. This can be attributed to the phenomenal growth in demand for travel and the expansion of the aviation sector and the ecosystem across the region,” said Capt Abdulla Al Hammadi, divisional vice president at Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA).

“There will continue to be a huge demand for pilots globally. Aviation is one of the most exciting and dynamic industries today and pilots have access to excellent opportunities for career advancements. Becoming an aviator is a great career choice for students and school leavers,” Al Hammadi told Khaleej Times.

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According to Oliver Wyman, there is likely to be a global gap of 80,000 pilots by 2032. The Middle East is set to see the biggest shortage outside of North America, driven by a projected sharp increase in air travel demand over the next few years. The region could face a shortage of 3,000 pilots by 2023 and 18,000 by 2032.

The EFTA divisional vice president added that they are actively engaged with several industry stakeholders and airlines within the GCC and beyond to offer job opportunities to graduates.

“We’re always open to identifying relevant opportunities to collaborate with the right partners at the right time.”

EFTA’s $181,650 (Dh666,000) fees to become a pilot covers everything such as all training materials including devices, serviced accommodation, amenities, recreational facilities, uniforms, meals, laundry, and certification.

Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates offers an attractive package to selected pilots. The first officer's salary ranges from nearly Dh26,000 to Dh34,000 a month in addition to accommodation, annual leave, and education allowance among other benefits. This makes the Dubai carrier among the most sought after employers in the aviation sector.

Biggest cohort

On Tuesday, 85 cadets graduated from the Emirates Flight Training Academy, of which 67 were UAE nationals and 18 international cadets. It was the fifth graduation ceremony of the EFTA.

The graduation ceremony was headlined by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline & Group, and other senior officials.

Every cadet in the class of 2024 completed around 113 weeks of training with over 1,100 hours of ground-based and 270 hours of flight training.

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