As Middle Eastern airlines embark on a decade marked by aggressive fleet expansion, they face a looming pilot shortage, with a projected need for more than 10,300 pilots by 2030. Unlike North America and Europe, where pilot availability is beginning to stabilize, the Middle East remains on a steep hiring trajectory as carriers expand their long-haul networks and introduce new brands.

A recent report by Oliver Wyman highlights that the Middle East will be the only region where pilot demand will significantly outstrip supply throughout the decade. The shortfall is driven by record aircraft orders, robust long-haul demand, and the emergence of new Gulf hubs, all vying for qualified flight crew.

Historically, Gulf carriers have relied on international talent, a trend likely to continue as airlines offer attractive tax-free packages and opportunities to fly wide-body aircraft, appealing to pilots from regions with a surplus of talent.

However, this talent gap coincides with evolving expectations among younger pilots, who now prioritize quality of life and schedule control over rapid career advancement. This shift is prompting airlines to re-evaluate incentive structures and traditional career paths.

With flight crew costs rising faster than airline revenues due to increased pay and more flexible work rules, airlines are adopting advanced crew-planning tools, expanding training capacity, and investing in simulation, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) training platforms to develop local pilot pipelines.

The Middle East faces a unique challenge: airlines are growing faster than the available pilot workforce, said André Martins, Head of Transportation and Advanced Industrials for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Oliver Wyman. "With more than 10,000 pilots needed by 2030, carriers will have to think differently about sourcing, training, and retaining talent.

Solutions such as localized training pipelines, advanced simulation, and innovative career pathways will be critical to sustaining growth." The report emphasizes the increasing use of part-time flying, flexible route-basing, and enhanced mentoring programs to attract and retain pilots. Airlines are tailoring training to diverse learning preferences, incorporating immersive VR modules and data-driven curriculum design.

While the global pilot shortage may ease in the latter half of the decade, the Middle East is likely to remain a hub for pilots seeking opportunities to fly long-range aircraft with tax-efficient compensation. For regional airlines, the immediate focus is clear: scale up training pipelines, modernize workforce systems, and intensify competition for talent to support one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.

Implications for the UAE:

Surge in Pilot Training Demand: Local academies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are expected to see increased enrollments and waiting lists as carriers aim to develop domestic pilot pipelines and reduce reliance on overseas recruitment.

Expansion of Scholarships and Cadet Pathways: Anticipate more cadet programs linked to major carriers and aviation schools, offering structured funding support and post-training career opportunities for UAE nationals and long-term residents.

Enhanced Compensation and Lifestyle Incentives: With intensifying competition, carriers may introduce more predictable rosters, flexible contracts, and base stability options to retain talent, in addition to already strong pilot pay in the region.

Acceleration of Simulation and Tech-Driven Training: The integration of VR, AR, AI-based assessment, and data-driven learning models will become mainstream in local academies, shortening training cycles and expanding the pool of future pilots.

Increased Hiring for New Airports and Fleets: The expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport and new fleet orders from UAE carriers indicate sustained hiring cycles beyond 2030, with talent needs extending beyond pilots to include flight instructors, engineers, and safety roles.

Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC) has awarded a contract to develop an automated people mover (APM) system for the first phase of Al Maktoum International Airport, creating what is expected to be the world’s largest airport transit system of its kind.

The contract was awarded to a consortium comprising Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), its Dubai-based subsidiary MHI Mobility Engineering Services (MHI-MESC), and Indian engineering group Larsen and Toubro (L&T).

The APM network will extend approximately 50 kilometers and connect nine stations, making it significantly larger than existing airport people-mover systems.

MHI and MHI-MESC will oversee the design, procurement and testing of 165 vehicles, as well as signaling technology and overall system integration. L&T will be responsible for designing, procuring, testing and constructing the remaining subsystems on site.

The project is scheduled for completion in December 2031.

The scale of Dubai’s planned system will surpass existing airport transit networks, including the approximately 8-kilometer Skylink at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and The Plane Train at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The APM network will connect Al Maktoum International Airport’s terminals and key facilities, helping improve passenger movement, reduce transfer times and support efficient airport operations.

The project forms part of Dubai’s broader plans to develop Al Maktoum International into one of the world’s largest aviation hubs. The airport is targeted to begin operations in 2032 and is ultimately expected to handle up to 260 million passengers annually.

The planned expansion is designed to accommodate growing regional and international air traffic while strengthening Dubai’s position as a major global aviation hub.

Source: Khaleej Times

Skyway Aviation Handling Company PLC (SAHCO) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to improve the efficiency, security and smooth operation of airport and cargo activities.

The commitment was made during a SAHCO delegation’s visit to AC Adamu, the newly appointed Commander of the Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

The visit focused on building on the existing relationship between SAHCO and the NCS through stronger communication, closer coordination and enhanced operational cooperation, particularly in the handling and movement of cargo.

Representing SAHCO Managing Director and CEO Adenike Aboderin, General Manager of Cargo Services Donald Adekunle welcomed the new CIU commander and pledged the company’s continued support for a professional and productive partnership with the Customs Service.

Adekunle said closer cooperation between the two organizations would help strengthen airport operations and improve coordination among key aviation stakeholders and government agencies.

He also emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in facilitating efficient cargo movement, reinforcing security procedures and enhancing service delivery across Nigeria’s airports.

The renewed cooperation comes as aviation and government agencies continue to focus on improving cargo-handling processes and maintaining secure and efficient airport operations.

Source: ZAWYA

SHARJAH, UAE: Sharjah Airport has achieved Level 3 Airport Customer Experience Accreditation from Airports Council International (ACI), marking another milestone in its efforts to strengthen passenger services.

The airport first received Level 1 accreditation in 2022 before advancing to Level 2 in 2023 after establishing and implementing a customer experience strategy across its departments. It renewed its Level 2 status in 2025 and progressed to Level 3 in 2026.

Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority, said the latest accreditation reflected the airport’s focus on passenger satisfaction and its broader strategy to provide an integrated travel experience centered on quality and service excellence.

He said the achievement also supports Sharjah’s ambitions as a destination for travel, tourism and business.

According to Al Midfa, reaching Level 3 demonstrates the airport’s ability to collect and analyse passenger feedback and work with airport partners to turn that information into practical service improvements.

The accreditation assessment examined how the airport gathers and applies passenger feedback, coordinates with service providers and maintains a seamless passenger experience from arrival through departure.

As part of its progress toward Level 3, Sharjah Airport strengthened its customer feedback systems to better identify passenger expectations, pinpoint areas requiring improvement and respond more quickly to concerns.

The airport also increased coordination with airlines, ground-handling companies and other stakeholders to promote consistent service standards throughout the passenger journey.

Passenger satisfaction reports are now regularly distributed among airport departments, allowing teams to identify successful practices as well as areas requiring further attention. Employees across the airport community are also involved in improving passenger services, reinforcing shared responsibility for the overall travel experience.

ACI established its Airport Customer Experience Accreditation Programme to help airports assess and enhance passenger experience. The programme provides tools and expertise to help airports manage passenger journeys, develop improvement plans and identify opportunities to raise service quality.

Source: QCAA

DOHA, Qatar: Hamad International Airport (HIA) has reaffirmed its readiness to provide a smooth and comfortable arrival experience as passenger numbers increase in Doha following the summer holiday season.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the airport said it expects higher inbound traffic this August as students and families return ahead of the new academic year.

HIA has issued a series of guidelines designed to make arrival procedures easier and improve passenger convenience. Airport staff will remain available around the clock to assist travelers and their families, it said.

The guidance covers several aspects of the arrival process, including procedures for families traveling with young children and arrangements for meeting arriving passengers.

It also provides information on transportation options from the airport, including ride-hailing services, taxis, buses and the Doha Metro. Guidance on car rentals and baggage collection is also included.

The airport said the measures are intended to help passengers navigate the arrival process efficiently during the expected increase in traffic.

With August marking a key period for post-holiday travel, HIA is emphasizing operational preparedness and passenger support as more travelers return to Doha.

Source: QNA

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah handled approximately 28.55 million passengers on 169,900 flights between the beginning of 2026 and the end of July, according to an airport performance report.

The airport also processed 33.6 million bags during the seven-month period, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The performance report was reviewed by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz during a meeting attended by Jeddah Airports Company CEO Mazen Johar.

The airport recorded its highest daily passenger traffic on January 17, when around 195,300 passengers passed through its facilities.

During the 1447 AH Umrah season, King Abdulaziz International Airport served approximately 6.16 million passengers on 36,400 flights and handled 7.2 million bags. More than 10,000 employees from various agencies were deployed at the airport during the season.

The report also highlighted the airport’s role during the 1447 AH Hajj season. More than 1.67 million pilgrims traveled through the airport during the arrival and departure phases, with more than 9,600 flights operated and approximately 2.76 million bags handled.

Ground transportation also played a significant role in moving pilgrims during Hajj. Buses carried around 821,700 pilgrims across 22,855 trips, while the Haramain High Speed Railway transported approximately 48,200 pilgrims on 207 trips.

The figures underscore the airport’s importance as a major gateway for pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and Hajj, as well as its role in handling growing passenger demand throughout the year.

Source: TradeArabia