Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline that flies daily to Malta via Larnaca, plans to hire more than 700 pilots over the next 18 months to support new routes, new aircraft and increased frequencies.

The airline’s recruitment team will be seeking First Officers in Madrid, one of six new destinations to be announced by the airline this year. After Madrid, recruitment specialists move to Barcelona and then across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. 

Capt. Alan Stealey, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Flight Operations, said: “We have embarked on a major drive to recruit cockpit crew to support the airline’s growth at a time when much of the industry is cutting back. With our 9th A380 just arrived and a 10th A380 being handed over next week, that’s two giant aircraft to staff in the space of a fortnight alone. By the end of this year, we will have recruited more than 250 pilots. New routes this year include Tokyo, and Amsterdam. Services to Prague and Baghdad roll out on 1 July, Madrid begins 1 August and flights to Dakar operate from 1 September. Rick Helliwell, Emirates’ Vice President, Recruitment, said: “A career as an Emirates’ pilot offers an opportunity to fly aircraft in one of the world’s most modern fleets throughout an ever broadening route network. Due to the massive expansion plans for the airline, pilots at Emirates have the opportunity to progress from First Officer to the Captain’s seat quickly, based on industry norms.” The airline currently employs more than 2,300 flight deck crew, spanning 85 nationalities. Emirates also announced that it was looking to recruit around 3,000 cabin crew during the current financial year.  

Full details of these and other pilot recruitment sessions across the world can be found via www.emiratesgroupcareers.com