Flynas on Freeze
 

Flynas froze their successful Cadet program overnight stranding 100's of cadets who went thru examination process. Sadiqi said apparently due to lack of training directors ability to manage training quality as the capable one (A.A.R) went back to flying because of disagreement with COO. In retaliation, cadets are heading with their complaints to Saudi authorities & MBS, who are trying to push saudiazation. Flynas heading for a showdown?

Will they start Hiring expat First Officers?

Yes! Flynas will start hiring expat FO's on commuting contract again very very soon.

100% confirm it's been canceled, .

They won't restart the cadet program unless there is management change in the Training department. The aptitude test is just buying time to avoid negative image.

If you-re a Saudi National then every Airline in Saudi Arabia will bite your hand off. Otherwise it's unlikely the Saudi government will allow your employment. Flyadeal though seem to be allowed to employ foreign pilots for now. Understand though that Saudiisation is massive and they do want expats to be gone ASAP.

True polax52, this is why experienced local skippers jumping ship too.

I am sure you noticed this conversation is not for people to express their views on certain nationalities as I am sure wherever you are from people have their own lifestyle/culture/behavior pattern. FYI Saudi Arabian Airline also has cadet program and yes we expats will not be needed as much as yesterday, but flynas Cadet program has gone into turbulent times which it can still recover from.

Direct entry expat Captains on the table now expect to hire expats next month.

If you're patient, you may well get recruited. The Saudi's will certainly need foreign Airbus Captains, whether it's at FLYNAS, Saudia, Flyadeal, Saudi Gulf etc. The point you're missing is that it is a massive political hot potato. Like the Chinese they may well need expat Pilots but they really don't want them. The factions that don't want you, will make your life tough if you choose to come.

Do you ever expect to see them hiring expat Captains again?

This is a result of in-flight ops management micromanagement. Every email before being sent must be approved by one man who has no time due to micromanagement style. For sure they need pilots desperately as everyone here is back to back, many asked to abandon leaves and with cadet program shelved forever no more Saudi talent coming to the flight deck.

Looks like they are still advertising for the cadet program here:

https://www.latestpilotjobs.com/jobs/view/id/15400.html

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

Expect assessments to start soon or cadet program as during low season we have 1 skipper standby and 2 AOG. Short of pilots by over 27 and new delivering expected soon.

Have patience brother. The industry is expanding worldwide. Everywhere you look there is a new terminal under construction and airplanes being ordered. Unfortunately in the middle east we have to deal with bureaucratic problems which is not unique to Saudi. Don't let negative people (especially on these forums) sway you from the fact that it is a good time to be a pilot.

You were right! Ads are out for this today.