Etihad Welcomes Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Staff

Etihad Airways Welcomes Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Employees

Etihad Airways is open to recruiting employees from Wizz Air Abu Dhabi after the low-cost airline announced it will cease operations in the UAE from September 1, 2025, ending its Abu Dhabi-based joint venture. This decision has placed around 450 employees in a difficult situation as they now search for new job opportunities.

Opportunities at Etihad

The management of Etihad Airways has made it clear that they welcome applications from employees of other airlines. The company is recruiting on a global scale and is currently in a significant expansion phase, planning to hire 2,500 new employees in 2025 alone, including about 350 pilots and 1,500 cabin crew members annually. The total number of employees is expected to grow to between 17,000 and 18,000 over the next few years.

Challenges for Wizz Air Abu Dhabi

Employees of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi have been offered the opportunity to continue their careers within the airline's European network, but relocation may pose significant challenges for many. Visa requirements, family and cultural ties, as well as geographical distance, can present serious obstacles for those affected. Therefore, the opportunities at Etihad may offer an especially attractive alternative for those wishing to remain within the UAE.

Fleet Expansion and International Growth

Etihad Airways is dynamically expanding its route network, announcing seven new routes in July 2025, including Almaty (Kazakhstan), Baku (Azerbaijan), Bucharest (Romania), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Tbilisi (Georgia), Tashkent (Uzbekistan), and Yerevan (Armenia). A total of 27 new routes have been launched or announced in one year. Their fleet will expand with the arrival of 22 new aircraft in 2025, and is expected to reach a size of 200–220 aircraft within the next five years, including 30 long-range Airbus A321LR planes.

Aviation Sector Recovery

In the post-pandemic period, UAE airlines have initiated a significant recruitment drive. The Emirates Group has also advertised 17,300 new positions for the current financial year. This reflects the rapid recovery of the sector and the demand brought on by increasing passenger traffic.

Summary

The withdrawal of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has placed employees in a difficult situation, but the openness of Etihad Airways and other airlines creates opportunities for continuing careers within the UAE. The continuous growth of the aviation sector and the demand for labor provide hope for those working in the aviation industry.

(The source of the article is an Etihad Airways statement.)