Possibility of Emirates International Cadet Scheme?
 

I fly on EK regularly for my current (non-aviation) job. In the last few months, two cabin crew I've been talking to have mentioned that EK will be starting a cadet scheme for international applicants (it's currently UAE nationals only). Both these CC were interested in becoming pilots themselves. So far I've seen nothing but wondered if anyone else has heard similar? Perhaps they're waiting for the Emirates Flight Training Academy to be up and running?

They currently train foreign students at their own flight training school though these are not sponsored by Emirates, this is the first I've heard about any such plans. Not totally unheard of since Cathay Pacific did open their scheme to international applicants for quite a while and that was by many accounts a very good programme. I think Etihad did one too then shelved it.

If Emirates are having trouble recruiting and/or keeping experienced ex-pats then they may need to open up a cadet programme for international folk, whether this would involve the good terms for UAE nationals being available to foreigners I don't know?

Of course, pure speculation at the moment.

I knew cabin crew who were talking about that 10 years ago, I imagine they must be sick of waiting by now :hmm:

They are suffering massive pilot shortages and a high resignation rate at the moment so anything's possible I guess, but it's only very recently that they have relaxed the previous-heavy-jet-time requirement, and started taking experienced turboprop and RJ pilots. That should keep the CV pile fairly full for quite a while yet I would imagine.

Time to restart this thread...

Received an email from them today which links me to a questionnaire page (as part of their selection process). Fairly standard general questions about health and when I plan to start... Needs to be completed by the 14 of June.

Think I'm going to pass over this opportunity.. Well, very expensive opportunity at around US$ of 250,000 which roughly equates to £186,000...

Source: https://www.emiratesflighttrainingac...-questionnaire