Emirates and dnata expanded recruitment globally as workforce growth accelerated alongside record profits and operational recovery.
Emirates Group received 3.5 million job applications during the 2025-26 financial year and hired nearly 9,700 employees, reflecting the continued global demand for jobs within the UAE’s aviation sector.
According to the Group’s annual report released Thursday, the company used its newly launched recruitment platform, Masar, to manage the hiring process, helping managers shortlist approximately 390,000 candidates before onboarding new employees in the UAE.
As recruitment accelerated, the Group’s total workforce grew 8 percent year-on-year to 130,919 employees as of March 31, 2026, driven by expansion across both Emirates and dnata operations.
Emirates Remains One of the UAE’s Most Attractive Employers
The scale of applications highlights Emirates Group’s position as one of the most sought-after employers in the UAE and internationally. Competitive compensation packages, tax-free salaries, and long-term career opportunities continue to attract candidates across operational, technical, and corporate functions.
The hiring momentum followed another milestone for the company after it announced a 20-week employee bonus tied to record financial performance for the 2025-26 year.
The Group also reported growth in Emirati talent participation, with its UAE national workforce surpassing 4,000 employees, reflecting ongoing efforts to attract and retain local professionals through structured development programs.
Emirates Airline and dnata Continue Global Recruitment
Within the Group, Emirates Airlines added 5,515 employees during the financial year, taking its workforce to 74,980, an increase of 8 percent compared to the previous year.
Earlier this year, Adel Al Redha stated that the airline expects to recruit nearly 20,000 operational employees over the next five years, including cabin crew, pilots, engineers, technicians, and airport staff, as fleet expansion and operational demand continue.
At the same time, dnata expanded its workforce by 8 percent to 55,939 employees, supporting growth across ground handling, cargo, catering, and travel services.
Growth Backed by Financial and Brand Strength
The recruitment surge comes alongside a strong financial year for the Emirates Group. Emirates retained its position as the world’s most profitable airline after reporting a record Dh22.8 billion profit before tax.
Meanwhile, according to Brand Finance, Emirates Airlines’ brand value rose 27 percent to $10.6 billion, making it the third most valuable airline brand globally and the strongest outside North America.
This financial performance has strengthened the Group’s ability to continue investing in both infrastructure and workforce expansion.
Investing in Long-Term Workforce Infrastructure
As staffing needs increase, Emirates is also expanding its employee infrastructure. Earlier this year, the airline signed an agreement for a major Cabin Crew Village project at Dubai Investments Park, a multibillion-dirham residential development designed to accommodate up to 12,000 crew members.
The project reflects how workforce planning is increasingly being integrated into long-term operational growth strategies across the aviation sector.
Conclusion
The scale of hiring at Emirates Group reflects more than recruitment demand alone. It signals the continued expansion of Dubai’s aviation ecosystem at a time when global airlines are balancing operational recovery, rising costs, and long-term growth planning.
For Emirates, workforce expansion is not operating separately from business strategy. It has become one of the clearest indicators of how aggressively the Group is positioning itself for the next phase of global aviation growth.
Emirates Group’s UAE national workforce grew to more than 4,000 by the end of March 2026. Photo: Emirates Group
Source: Khaleej Times
