News
UAE: 600 jobs to come up in aviation sector; up to 8% rise in salaries expected
14 May, 2025
In order to accommodate passenger and cargo growth, Dubai is building Al Maktoum International Airport, which will be the biggest upon completion
The UAE aviation sector will create around 600 jobs this year across various segments due to exceptional demand, said the CEO of Dulsco People, a manpower solution company.
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Antony Marke said salaries for pilots and other skilled aviation professionals are projected to increase up to eight per cent annually due to demand from airlines, airports and charter companies due to shortage of skilled workforce.
“We are witnessing growing demand across a wide range of aviation roles, both in the air and on the ground. Airlines in the region are actively expanding their recruitment efforts for pilots and cabin crew, while demand is also rising for ground personnel with specialised expertise ranging from customer service, airport and cargo operations to inflight catering, and various critical support functions,” said Marke.
“We’re expecting to see demand for tech-savvy professionals who can operate, maintain, and optimise these new technologies. Based on market projections and current expansions, we estimate the creation of approximately 600 new jobs across the UAE aviation sector in the next 12 months,” Marke told Khaleej Times in an interview.
As reported by Khaleej Times earlier, Al Maktoum Airport will generate and support a million jobs in the UAE upon completion.
Salaries, shortage of skilled workforce
The UAE aviation sector is witnessing unprecedented growth over the past few years. This was reflected in Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates announcing record profit and Dubai International (DXB) airport recording the highest annual traffic in 2024, reaching 92.3 million. It projected 96 million passenger traffic for 2025.
Given the developments and growth witnessed post Covid, Dulsco People’s CEO said, “We’re seeing the aviation sector face a skill gap in highly specialised areas like aircraft maintenance, air traffic control, ground operations, and technical support. This skill gap means there is an urgent need for skilled professionals to meet its high standards.”
Marke expects a moderate but steady increase in salaries in the aviation sector especially in leadership and technical roles. “Also, we do think the demand for more pilots and engineers will push salaries up by about five to eight per cent annually.”
Al Maktoum airport
In order to accommodate passenger and cargo growth, Dubai is building Al Maktoum International Airport, which will be the biggest airport upon completion, with the first phase scheduled for completion in 2032.
Similarly, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) added 29 new routes over the past year. This expansion has contributed to a 28 per cent increase in passenger traffic. Abu Dhabi Airports handled 29.4 million travellers in 2024, up from 22.9 million in 2023.
“This surge in activity has, in turn, fuelled a sharp rise in demand for skilled talent across the aviation sector,” he said, adding that major expansions at Al Maktoum International Airport and the introduction of more flexible visa policies are set to further strengthen the UAE’s position as a vital global aviation hub.
“Al Maktoum airport is set to be a game changer for the UAE and the region, potentially becoming the world’s largest airport by capacity. With plans to bring in over 260 million passengers annually, we anticipate a significant surge in direct and indirect employment, with tens of thousands of new roles created over the next decade, spanning not only aviation but also hospitality, logistics, retail, and support services,” added Marke.
Other News & Blogs
