Etihad Airways plans to hire 7,000 employees by 2035 as the Abu Dhabi-based airline expands its operations and increases its focus on Emiratisation.
The airline expects its workforce to reach 22,000 employees by 2035. That compares with about 15,000 employees expected by the end of 2026.
Dr Nadia Bastaki, chief people, government and corporate affairs officer at Etihad Airways, said the airline is continuing to recruit as it expands.
Etihad Airways hiring to focus on frontline roles
Etihad expects to close 2026 with around 15,000 employees. The airline is growing its workforce by about 20% a year.
More than 3,000 new employees are needed across the business this year. Most of these roles are frontline positions.
The hiring push includes pilots, technicians and engineers. At the same time, Etihad continues to recruit for other operational and corporate roles.
So far this year, the airline has hired about 1,340 employees. Another 600 are in the hiring pipeline, while a further 300 are expected to join by the end of the year.
That would keep the airline on track with its recruitment plans for 2026.
Etihad continues hiring during regional disruption
Etihad also maintained recruitment during a six-month period of regional disruption that affected airlines and the wider travel and tourism sector.
The airline onboarded about 700 employees during this period. It also continued international recruitment instead of putting hiring on hold.
To support this, Etihad moved parts of its onboarding process online. As a result, new employees could join the airline while recruitment activity continued.
Emiratisation remains part of Etihad’s workforce plan
Alongside its wider recruitment drive, Etihad is building talent pipelines for UAE nationals.
The airline uses its cadet, airport and technician programmes to prepare Emiratis for aviation careers. More than 300 Emiratis are expected to join through these programmes this year.
Etihad is also making direct-entry hires into roles reserved for UAE nationals.
Bastaki said UAE nationals form part of the airline’s succession planning and leadership development programmes. The airline also aims to maintain a mix of nationalities, genders and backgrounds across its workforce.
The approach links hiring with longer-term workforce planning as Etihad expands its operations.
Etihad receives 100,000 cabin crew applications
The airline is also seeing strong demand for its cabin crew positions.
Etihad has received more than 100,000 applications for cabin crew roles, highlighting the scale of interest in its recruitment campaigns.
The airline runs recruitment campaigns every month in the UAE and international markets. It recently completed a campaign in Europe, with further campaigns planned in Africa and China.
Etihad also uses LinkedIn and international roadshows to reach candidates in specific markets.
The airline points to career progression as one factor supporting its appeal to applicants. Bastaki said cabin crew members can progress to pursers within 18 months.
AI expands role in Etihad recruitment
Etihad has also increased its use of artificial intelligence in recruitment over the past two years.
The airline uses virtual interviews and automated screening tools as part of its hiring process. These systems can screen more than 50,000 applications in less than three days and rank candidates based on suitability.
The technology is becoming increasingly relevant as Etihad manages larger applicant volumes.
For the airline, the combination of digital recruitment, international campaigns and structured talent programmes supports hiring at a time of rapid workforce growth.
With its workforce target rising from about 15,000 employees this year to 22,000 by 2035, Etihad’s recruitment strategy will remain closely linked to its expansion plans and Emiratisation goals.
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