Etihad Airways has accelerated its recruitment activities to onboard 1,500 new employees throughout 2025. After Wizz Air halted its Abu Dhabi operations, the company organised open day sessions to evaluate the affected airline’s staff.
Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Head of Human Resources, Government & Corporate Relations at Etihad Aviation Group, told The National:
“We extended our support to affected colleagues and organised open days to introduce potential opportunities at Etihad. This step is part of our vision to contribute regionally to the aviation ecosystem.”
Growth and Strategic Goals
Etihad currently has a workforce of approximately 12,000 people. However, the company aims to double its fleet by 2030 and reach an annual passenger capacity of 38 million. Accordingly, Etihad plans to hire around 2,000 employees annually over the next five years. These recruitments will include pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground services personnel.
At a press conference in Hamburg, Etihad’s CEO Antonoaldo Neves announced that the company plans to equip its entire fleet with first-class products within five years. This plan represents a strong return to first class, contrary to the industry trend focusing on business class.
Wizz Air Operations Suspended
Hungary-based Wizz Air announced earlier this month that it was suspending its Abu Dhabi operations, citing technical problems with aircraft engines, operational challenges, and fleet reduction as reasons. This development left around 450 employees’ futures uncertain. The inability to relocate staff with non-European passports complicated the situation further.
Fleet Expansion and A321LR Deliveries
Etihad received the first of its 30 Airbus A321LR orders last week. These aircraft create a difference in the narrow-body category by offering first-class seats. The company plans to take delivery of 9 more A321LRs this year, 10 in 2026, and 5 each in 2027 and 2028.
Arik De, Head of Revenue and Commerce, stated that future aircraft deliveries will feature new product designs:
“They will be bolder and better. We are coming with a different product next year,” he said but declined to give details.
Airbus A380s Return
Etihad has reactivated 7 of its 10 Airbus A380s in the fleet. Daily flights to Toronto with the A380 began in June, increasing capacity by 31%. De noted that the return of the remaining A380s to service is being considered, but profitability remains a key criterion.
Industry Outlook and Future Perspective
According to Boeing’s 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook report, the global aviation industry will need 2.4 million new aviation professionals by 2044. In the Middle East alone, this number is estimated at 234,000. Etihad’s expansion goals directly align with this global trend.
In this context, Emirates Group also launched a major recruitment campaign to hire 17,300 staff in 2025. The Dubai-based company plans to add personnel in 350 different roles by the end of the fiscal year.
