7 of 10 Etihad cadet pilot scholarships awarded to women

Latest round of recruitment underlines UAE flagship carrier's commitment to equality

Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the UAE, has given 10 employees full scholarships to train as airline pilots, with seven of the placements awarded to women.

The new Employee Cadet Pilot Programme builds on a similar initiative launched last year for UAE Nationals, and highlights Etihad's commitment to equality.

In 2020, Etihad pledged that women would make up 25% of its workforce by the end of 2025, and in August 2024, the airline reported that nearly half of its UAE national workforce were women. 

The 10 successful recruits out of 600 applicants span eight nationalities, and come from positions including cabin crew, safety trainer and flight dispatch.

One of the seven women selected said she was "thrilled" as she now had the opportunity to "show my son that dreams really can come true". 

Dr Nadia Bastaki, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer at Etihad Airways, said the programme is driven by the increased demand for skilled pilots.

Three factors contribute to a global shortage of pilots. These include retirement of existing pilots, disjointed training and a better than expected rebound in post-pandemic travel, especially in the Middle East.

Latest estimates suggest the need for more than 650,000 pilots by 2043. This is also pushing up salaries dramatically, with chief pilots reportedly earning 49% more in 2024 compared to 2023.

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Etihad’s selection process for the programme saw cadets take tests in English, maths, physics and various other assessments over a two-month period.

"The primary objective of the Cadet Pilot Programme is to develop world-class pilots who align with Etihad Airways' operational and safety standards,” said Captain Fahad Alseiari, Head of the Cadet Pilot Programme.

"The two-year programme spans training in both the UAE and Spain, combining classroom-based learning with full flight simulator sessions."

In July 2024, Etihad embarked on a recruitment roadshow to attract pilots. 

For more information, visit www.etihad.com 

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