Originally Posted by
mutt
Do you ever expect to see them hiring expat Captains again?
Saudia currently have 80 F/O's who are listed as ready for command. The company wants new upgrade Captains now to be Riyadh based. Certainly some are refusing the basing. I don't know if any are accepting.
Delivery of 10 787-10 aircraft over the next few months will require an additional 100 Captains, I don't know about additional Airbus aircraft but we're expecting a lot after the Paris airshow. Normal Pilot attrition will mean an additional 40 Captains are required before next summer.
There will be a shortage. They have 3 options (i) upgrade expats from within (ii) hire expat Captains (iii) Cancel orders and wet lease