Dubai’s Emirates Group has launched an unprecedented recruitment drive to hire more than 17,300 professionals across 350 diverse roles this year, marking one of the largest talent acquisition campaigns in the aviation and travel industry.
This massive hiring effort spans Emirates Airline, the world’s most profitable international airline, and dnata, a global air and travel services provider. The scale of hiring is equivalent to staffing a mid-sized town or filling 58 Airbus A350 aircraft in capacity.
Why the Massive Recruitment Drive?
The Emirates Group is experiencing phenomenal growth aligned with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 and its own strategic expansion plans. This initiative reflects the company’s ambition to:
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Power its next era of innovation and expansion
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Support the increasing demand for air travel and logistics services
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Sustain leadership as a global aviation powerhouse
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Continue a culture of excellence and innovation by attracting world-class talent.
Roles and Job Categories
The recruitment drive covers extensive roles across operational, technical, and corporate domains:
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Flight Operations: Including pilots (1,500 planned hires by 2027), cabin crew, and flight support staff. Emirates offers competitive tax-free salaries and comprehensive benefits for these roles.
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Ground Operations: dnata is seeking more than 4,000 specialists in cargo handling, catering, and ground services to support expanding airport and logistics operations.
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Technical Positions: Engineers, aircraft maintenance specialists, and technical staff are crucial to maintaining Emirates’ growing fleet of modern aircraft.
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Corporate Roles: Customer service, IT professionals, HR specialists, finance experts, commercial sales teams, and other corporate functions are actively being recruited to meet the Group’s diverse business needs.
Recruitment Process
The Emirates Group recruitment process is known for being thorough, transparent, and efficient, designed to select the most qualified candidates promptly:
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Online Application: Candidates apply through the official Emirates Group Careers portal, customizing their CVs to each position and submitting relevant documents.
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Screening: Applications are initially screened by automated systems and HR professionals for eligibility and job fit. Successful candidates are shortlisted and notified for further assessment.
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Assessments and Interviews:
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Cabin Crew: Group activities, English proficiency tests, height and reach assessments (minimum reach of 212 cm required for safety), and one-on-one interviews to assess teamwork, communication, and customer service skills.
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Pilots: Technical interviews, simulator flying tests, and final interviews with senior management, followed by conditional job offers subject to medical and background clearances.
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Corporate and Technical Roles: Technical assessments, panel interviews, and behavioral testing ensure candidates fit the job and the Emirates culture.
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Pre-Employment Formalities: Includes medical examinations, background verification, visa processing for expatriates, and relocation support.
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Onboarding and Training: Role-specific induction and training programs help new hires integrate and excel. For example, cabin crew undergo an intensive 7.5-week training program adhering to high safety and service standards.
Talent Scouting Events
To source talent globally, Emirates Group is hosting over 2,100 open days and recruitment events in more than 150 cities worldwide, including Dubai-based sessions focused on Emirati nationals, students, and graduates. These events support direct interaction between recruiters and candidates, fostering a robust selection environment.
Workforce Growth and Impact
Since 2022, Emirates Group has onboarded more than 41,000 professionals, nearly 27,000 of them in operational roles, growing its total workforce to 121,000 employees. This new recruitment drive will further strengthen the workforce, supporting the ambitious expansion of Emirates and dnata.
The roles come with competitive compensation packages, including tax-free salaries, comprehensive medical and dental benefits, and bonuses — with recent bonuses reaching up to 22 weeks’ pay for some employees.
Conclusion
The Emirates Group’s massive recruitment drive is a landmark event in the aviation sector, offering thousands of opportunities across a broad spectrum of careers. It reflects Dubai’s growing position as a global aviation hub and Emirates’ commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and world-class service. Job seekers across various fields, from seasoned pilots to fresh graduates, have a rare chance to join a dynamic and globally respected organization shaping the future of aviation.
Interested candidates should visit the official careers website at emiratesgroupcareers.com to explore current vacancies and apply.
- This overview provides a detailed picture of the massive Emirates Group recruitment drive in Dubai, highlighting the scale, scope, and process for potential candidates.
