The UAE’s aviation sector is accelerating its role as a cornerstone of the national economy, generating thousands of high-quality jobs and reinforcing Emiratisation as passenger demand, cargo activity and infrastructure development continue to rise.
Industry leaders say the sector has matured into a fully integrated ecosystem that supports economic growth, talent attraction and digital transformation. Expansion across airports, airlines and aviation services has made recruitment and workforce development a top priority, ensuring sustainable growth and operational resilience.
According to the General Civil Aviation Authority, the aviation sector currently supports around one million direct and indirect jobs and contributes approximately 18 percent of the UAE’s GDP. This positions aviation as one of the country’s most influential drivers of comprehensive development.
In January, the GCAA hosted the Promising Future Aviation Career Fair in collaboration with strategic partners. More than 13,000 individuals registered interest, with thousands of students and jobseekers engaging directly with 27 participating organisations representing airlines, airports, manufacturers and training academies.
The authority noted that the sector’s professional base includes over 10,000 pilots, 38,000 cabin crew members, 4,651 engineers, 464 air traffic controllers and 427 flight dispatchers, reflecting the scale and diversity of its workforce.
Abu Dhabi Airports confirmed continued investment in talent development alongside infrastructure expansion across its five airports. Emirati representation is increasing across operational, strategic and commercial roles, supported by structured recruitment and development programmes.
Etihad Airways also highlighted its commitment to national talent, currently employing around 1,200 Emirati professionals and planning to double that number over the next five years through targeted recruitment across multiple disciplines.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
