Etihad Airways plans to hire up to 3,000 employees annually through 2030

ABU DHABI - Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways announced on Tuesday ambitious recruitment targets, aiming to bring on board between 2,500 and 3,000 new employees each year for the next five years as part of its aggressive fleet and network expansion strategy. 

The disclosure, made by CEO Antonoaldo Neves during a media briefing, follows the airline's strongest financial performance in its history, with a record profit of AED 2.6 billion (approximately $698 million) in 2025.

Building on 2025 momentum

The hiring plan directly builds on a banner year for the carrier. In 2025, Etihad welcomed more than 3,200 new joiners across frontline and corporate roles, while promoting around 2,200 employees internally. This included significant additions to cabin crew (around 1,600 hires), pilots (nearly 400), and other operational teams to support rapid fleet growth.

The airline's fleet expanded dramatically last year, growing by 29 aircraft to reach 127 jets — including new deliveries from Boeing and Airbus, plus the return to service of Airbus A380s. Passenger numbers surged 21% to 22.4 million, reflecting strong demand across its expanding route network, which added destinations such as Prague, Hanoi, and Hong Kong.

Neves emphasized the sustainable pace of growth.

"We're going to keep that range, from 2,500 to 3,000 people hired per year, and we're going to keep getting about 20 aircraft per year. That's more or less the ratio that we're going to be doing for the next five years," he said.

This steady addition of approximately 20 aircraft annually through 2030 is expected to further boost capacity, with a focus on enhancing services in high-growth markets including China, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

Key roles and investment focus

The recruitment drive will prioritize frontline positions essential to operations, including cabin crew and pilots, engineering and maintenance teams, customer experience and ground handling staff as corporate and leadership roles to strengthen internal capabilities.

Etihad's aggressive hiring aligns with a broader Dh80 billion ($21.8 billion) investment in aircraft and infrastructure through 2035, underscoring the airline's confidence in sustained demand for premium travel and its role as Abu Dhabi's flag carrier.

Opportunities for job seekers

For aspiring aviation professionals, the announcement signals a prolonged window of opportunity. Etihad has positioned itself as a global employer of choice, offering competitive packages, training programs, and career progression — particularly appealing in a region where aviation jobs remain highly sought after.

The airline's growth story also reflects the broader resilience and ambition of UAE aviation, competing alongside Emirates and flydubai in a dynamic market.

With the "sky the limit" for growth, as Neves put it, the coming years look set to be transformative for both the airline and those joining its ranks.