Originally Posted by
Sisiphos
ba77,
enjoy reading your posts.
Can you enlighten us about life in general in Saudia? I guess we all know the stereotypes, what do you make of them, how much is true, what do foreigners maybe don't see or appreciate, what do you like/ don't like? Also, are there major differences between cities, eg Ryhad and Jedda? What is in general the percentage of expat pilots at Saudi based airlines?
Best rgds
This is a highly subjective matter with answers that may differ from person to person. It is important to note that Saudi Arabia has undergone significant changes over the past decade, resulting in a positive transformation. While I could provide a list of positive aspects that may encourage individuals to consider living in Saudi Arabia, others may offer contrasting opinions that dissuade individuals from coming here. I highly recommend visiting Saudi Arabia to personally observe and experience the country firsthand, rather than allowing stereotypes and misconceptions to influence your perception. Ultimately, individuals' opinions on Saudi Arabia may vary, as it is a matter of personal perspective.
When it comes to expat pilots in Saudi Arabia, the percentage of expat captains in SAUDIA ranges from 25-30%, most of whom are based in Riyadh. There are currently no expat first officers in SAUDIA. Flynas also has no expat first officers, and while I am not certain about their percentage of expat captains, I suspect it is less than 40-50%. Flyadeal is the only airline in the kingdom with a significant number of expat captains, but with Saudisation policies in place, this is expected to change in the long term. Before COVID, there were very few local first officers, but now there are many as the company undergoes localization.
I am completely certain that there will be a demand for expat pilots at Riyadh Air, especially for captains. However, it is important to understand that the ratio of expats to locals will not be as high as at Emirates, Qatar, or Etihad. The number of expats will be significantly lower in the long term, as Riyadh Air will eventually prioritize Saudization, as is the case with other airlines in the country. While Riyadh Air may initially hire a large number of expats, this will likely only be for a period of 3-4 years before transitioning to a more local workforce.
After reading the comments made by some expats on this forum regarding local pilots, I am troubled by their displays of arrogance and condescension. It appears that these individuals may be making such comments in an attempt to validate their own existence and assert that they are the sole qualified candidates for the jobs. However, I can’t pass judgment about them without understanding the specific conditions of the airline they work for or the skills of the local pilots they work with, either in the Gulf region or abroad. SAUDIA, for example, stands apart from other carriers in the gulf with its 80-year history and highly skilled local pilots, training captains, examiners, and sim instructors (some of whom are in their 70s for god sake’s). Believing that there are no qualified local pilots for the job and thinking that sourcing locally is impossible is not only ignorant, but also incorrect. Those who have this mindset will be surprised for sure.