The Emirates Group, a UAE-based aviation company, is planning a significant expansion of its workforce. The company aims to increase its staff by 25% over the next year to support its upcoming growth phase.
As part of this expansion, the company intends to add more than 5,000 new cabin crew members to its existing team of 22,700 and plans to recruit over 1,700 pilots over the next three years.
In line with its growth strategy, the Emirates Group is preparing to take delivery of 10 A350 aircraft this year, with a total of 65 on order. Additionally, in the coming years, the company will begin receiving Boeing 777-X aircraft, with 205 of these planes on order. Consequently, this expansion will necessitate significant workforce support across various roles, particularly in IT, aeronautical engineering, customer service, and professional positions. Emirates’ subsidiary, dnata, is also actively recruiting for roles in airport and cargo operations, catering, retail, and travel.
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, the Emirates Group invested $2.4 billion in new aircraft, facilities, equipment, companies, and technology, resulting in a 10% increase in its workforce, which now totals 112,406 employees, the largest in its history. Currently, the company has more than 700 job openings advertised on its careers’ website, reflecting intense competition for positions, with over 3.4 million applications received in the past year.
As technology continues to transform the aviation industry, technical skills are becoming increasingly vital across nearly every role at Emirates. However, the company also emphasizes the importance of soft skills and seeks employees who are eager to continue developing and learning. Over 5,000 employees participated in workshops focused on professional and leadership skills, reflecting a 95% increase from the previous year.
Emirates Group is also committed to enhancing diversity within its workforce. Last year, the company established a Gender Balance Council to advocate for female employees and promote knowledge sharing. As a result, the percentage of women in the workforce increased to 43% in FY24, up from 41% in FY23. Women made up 56% of all new recruits and 55% of all promotions from middle to senior management.
