ABU DHABI- Etihad Airways (EY) is actively recruiting former employees of Wizz Air, which is suspending operations in Abu Dhabi (AUH) starting September 2025.
The national airline of the UAE is holding dedicated open-day recruitment events to onboard affected Wizz Air staff, offering roles in cabin crew, engineering, ground operations, and more, The National reported.
Photo: Wizz AirEtihad Recruits Wizz Air Staff
Etihad Airways’ move to recruit Wizz Air personnel follows the latter’s decision to cease operations in Abu Dhabi (AUH) after a thorough reassessment of its network.
Operational challenges, including aircraft engine issues, have prompted Wizz Air to exit the UAE market. As a result, around 450 staff members are left without local employment options, many of whom are restricted from relocating due to visa and passport limitations.
Dr. Nadia Bastaki, Chief People, Government and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Aviation Group, emphasized the carrier’s commitment to supporting regional aviation professionals during difficult times.
Hosting open days is part of Etihad’s initiative to absorb impacted staff into its own workforce, reinforcing its role as a stabilizing force within the regional aviation ecosystem.
Photo: EtihadEtihad’s Aggressive Expansion and Hiring Plan
Etihad Airways is pursuing an ambitious growth strategy aimed at doubling its passenger numbers and fleet size by 2030.
Currently operating 101 aircraft and employing 12,000 people, Etihad plans to recruit 2,000 additional employees annually over the next five years—totaling 10,000 new hires.
The airline aims to carry 38 million passengers annually by 2030, scaling its fleet to 220 aircraft. The recent delivery of its first Airbus A321LR from Hamburg demonstrates Etihad’s ongoing fleet modernization efforts.
The airline intends to equip its entire narrow-body and wide-body fleets with first-class cabins by the end of the decade.
This large-scale hiring initiative comes amid global labor shortages in aviation. Boeing’s 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook projects a need for 234,000 new aviation professionals in the Middle East by 2044, including 67,000 pilots, 63,000 technicians, and 104,000 cabin crew.
Photo- EmiratesIndustry-Wide Recruitment Trends
Etihad is not alone in ramping up hiring. Emirates Group, based in Dubai (DXB), recently announced plans to add 17,300 employees across 350 roles by March 2026. The recruitment drive spans cabin crew, pilots, engineers, cargo handlers, and ground operations personnel.
This regional hiring boom aligns with the global aviation sector’s recovery and expansion following the COVID-19 pandemic.
With increasing passenger demand and aircraft deliveries, workforce development has become a central focus for airlines in the Middle East and beyond.
Photo: Clément AlloingFuture Fleet and Premium Product Enhancements
Etihad’s future vision includes a $1 billion aircraft retrofit program beginning in late 2026 or early 2027. This includes updates to its Boeing 777s, 787-9s, Airbus A350s, and A321 classics. Plans involve the introduction of lie-flat business-class seating and a fleet-wide rollout of first-class offerings.
Etihad CEO Antonoaldo Neves confirmed the airline’s goal: all Etihad aircraft will feature a first-class cabin by 2030.
The first A321LR delivery already includes a premium first-class product—an uncommon feature on narrow-body aircraft. More innovations are expected in the next set of deliveries, starting with the 11th A321LR.
Return of the Airbus A380
Etihad is also gradually restoring its Airbus A380s to active service. Seven of its 10 double-deckers are already flying, including a recently resumed daily service to Toronto (YYZ) that increased capacity on the route by 31%. Additional A380s may return, depending on profitability assessments.
The airline had grounded its A380 fleet during the pandemic but now sees renewed potential in the aircraft for high-demand, long-haul routes.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Etihad CEO on Wizz Air Exit: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Can Wait on Slots
The post Etihad Airways Recruits Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Staff Amid Strong Expansion appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
