Etihad ramps up pilot recruitment across Europe and Türkiye | News
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, will host a series of pilot recruitment sessions across Europe and Türkiye this summer, inviting experienced first officers and captains to join the world’s fastest growing airline.
The informal drop-in sessions will take place between June and August 2026 in seven cities in Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Türkiye. They are open to experienced first officers and captains and are part of a wider recruitment campaign as Etihad expands its fleet and network until 2030.
This drive comes as Etihad is growing faster than any other airline in the world, with more than twenty aircraft a year and on course to double its fleet again within the next seven years. That growth creates accelerated opportunities for career development. First officers benefit from rapid progression towards command, while captains can pursue leadership paths beyond the cockpit, including training roles. During each session, candidates can meet Etihad’s Pilot Management and Recruitment teams, explore career paths in the First Officer and Captain roles, and learn what it means to fly with the airline.
Pilots who join Etihad will fly a modern, growing fleet across a global network of more than 100 destinations in more than 50 countries, with continued development and global flying opportunities throughout their career, in addition to travel benefits for themselves and their families. New participants are supported from the start by high training standards and a collaborative pilot community of many nationalities, with a culture built on safety, reliability and performance.
Etihad actively encourages pilots to bring their families to the sessions, where they can meet the team, ask questions and learn more about the airline and how the application process works in an informal, drop-in setting.
Captain Majed Al Marzouqi, Chief Operations and Guest Officer of Etihad Airways, said: “We are growing rapidly and we want talented first officers and captains to grow with us. These sessions are an opportunity to meet our team in person, see what we are building, and imagine a long-term career with Etihad. We would love to welcome pilots and their families this summer.”
Etihad’s growth strategy targets 37 million guests per year and a network of more than 125 destinations by the end of the decade. The sessions offer potential candidates the opportunity to learn more about the airline and the opportunities on offer before applying.
Further details and registration are available at smrtr.io/yFJhJ.
