Emirates has launched a large-scale Emirates Global Recruitment Drive to support fleet growth and rising travel demand. The carrier will hire 17,300 staff across Emirates and dnata this financial year, and aims to reach 20,000 new hires by 2030 as it scales operations. This move underpins Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 and signals a major boost for aviation jobs.
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Scale and targets of the recruitment drive
Emirates said the immediate hiring wave covers 17,300 positions across 350 job categories. The Group will stage more than 2,100 open days and talent events in roughly 150 cities to fill roles worldwide. The campaign is part of a wider workforce expansion that, combined with future plans, points to a target of 20,000 additional employees by 2030.
Roles and geographic reach
Vacancies span front-line and technical functions — cabin crew, pilots, engineers, technicians, ground handling, IT, commercial and customer service. dnata will recruit thousands for cargo, catering and ground operations as part of the same drive. Recruitment events will include sessions in the UAE aimed at Emirati graduates and national workforce initiatives.
Digital hiring and onboarding initiatives
The Group is modernising its talent processes to speed up hiring and improve candidate experience. This includes streamlined digital onboarding and trials of cardless employee onboarding to reduce paperwork and cut time to productivity. Such measures form part of Emirates’ broader push to attract world-class aviation talent. (Company statements and industry reports.)
Economic and sector impact in Dubai
The drive supports the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 goals to expand high-value sectors and attract international investment. A larger Emirates workforce will strengthen the emirate’s aviation ecosystem, create spillover job opportunities, and support tourism and logistics growth as new aircraft enter service. Analysts say the hiring surge underlines confidence in long-term demand for travel through Dubai.
Company outlook and workforce context
Emirates Group already employs well over 120,000 people globally and has hired tens of thousands since 2022. The new intake is positioned as a strategic response to fleet deliveries and expanding routes, rather than temporary seasonal hiring, the carrier says.
The Emirates Global Recruitment Drive is one of the largest talent campaigns in the region this year. With immediate openings of 17,300 roles and a horizon target of 20,000 hires by 2030, the move cements Emirates’ role as a major employer and a pillar of Dubai’s D33 economic vision.
