Emirates: London recruitment drive for new pilots

Emirates Airlines is holding a recruitment drive in London next month to hire more pilots from the UK.

The Dubai-based international aviation company currently employs 545 British pilots and is hoping to recruit more to help meet the growing demand for international travel from the UK.

The airline currently operates 126 flights a week to Dubai from the UK, including six times daily A380 to London Heathrow; three times daily A380 service to Gatwick and a twice daily service to Stansted

The London open days will be held on August 25 and 26 at the Crowne Plaza at Gatwick Airport and on August 27 and 28 at the Radisson Blu Hotel at London Stansted.

The open days will offer pilots the chance to learn about entry requirements, salary, and benefits, rosters, training, and the lifestyle benefits of living in Dubai.

The airline is currently offering three recruitment programmes: direct entry captains, accelerated command, and first officers.

Emirates has a pilot training programme, with a recent investment of US$135 million in a new pilot training centre in Dubai.

Lee Nightingale , UK senior first officer for Emirates, said: “Being a pilot is an extremely fulfilling career and joining Emirates in 2015 was a fantastic lifestyle decision for my family and me.

“I have been flying with Emirates for seven years now and flying since 2010, but every day is different, and working with people from all over the world on a day-to-day basis means we’re always learning. Flying Emirates’ modern wide-body fleet truly feels like the best job in the world and after taking the leap and moving to Dubai all those years ago I have never looked back.”

Interested candidates can see the eligibility criteria and apply online.