Etihad Airways is hiring in to recruit former Wizz Air staff after Wizz Air decided to end its operations in Abu Dhabi (AUH), following a detailed evaluation of its route network.
ABU DHABI – Etihad Airways (EY), the UAE’s national carrier, is launching recruitment events to bring on board former Wizz Air staff. With Wizz Air ceasing operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport in September 2025, Etihad is opening opportunities across various departments including cabin crew, engineering, and ground services, as reported by The National.
Etihad Airways Hiring Wizz Air Staff
The decision by Etihad Airways to hire Wizz Air staff comes in the wake of Wizz’s strategic exit from the UAE market, primarily due to operational issues like aircraft engine troubles. Around 450 Wizz Air employees have been impacted, many of whom face restrictions in relocating due to visa and passport conditions.
Dr. Nadia Bastaki from Etihad made it clear—they’re backing regional aviation workers, especially now when things are tough.
Etihad’s recruitment open days aim to integrate these displaced professionals into its workforce—strengthening the airline’s role as a stable and responsible leader in Middle Eastern aviation.
Etihad’s Growth Ambitions Drive Hiring
Etihad Airways is executing a bold expansion strategy that targets doubling both its passenger count and aircraft fleet by 2030.
Currently operating 101 aircraft and employing 12,000 personnel, the airline plans to hire 2,000 new staff annually for the next five years, aiming for a total of 10,000 new recruits. Aiming to welcome 38 million travelers each year, Etihad is expanding its fleet to an impressive 220 aircraft. Its fleet renewal is already underway, marked by the delivery of its first Airbus A321LR from Hamburg.
Etihad Airline is taking luxury to new heights by 2030, every plane in its fleet will feature premium first-class cabins.
This wave of hiring comes amid a global talent crunch in aviation. Boeing’s 2025 Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts the Middle East will need 234,000 new aviation workers by 2044, including 67,000 pilots, 63,000 engineers, and 104,000 cabin crew.
Recruitment in the Wider Aviation Sector
Etihad Airways hiring Wizz Air staff is part of a broader regional hiring trend. Dubai-based Emirates Group has announced it will hire 17,300 new staff across 350 job categories by March 2026. These roles include flight attendants, pilots, ground handling teams, and engineering positions.
This hiring spree shows just how fast aviation is bouncing back, thanks to more people flying & more planes hitting the skies.
Fleet Modernization and Premium Upgrades
Etihad is planning a $1 billion aircraft retrofit program to kick off by late 2026 or early 2027. The upgrades will span its Boeing 777s, 787-9s, Airbus A350s, and A321 classics, introducing lie-flat business-class seats and expanding first-class services across the fleet.
CEO Antonoaldo Neves reaffirmed that all Etihad aircraft will feature a first-class section by the end of the decade. Notably, the first A321LR already includes a first-class cabin—rare for narrow-body jets. Additional enhancements are expected in future deliveries, starting with the 11th A321LR.
Comeback of the Airbus A380
Etihad is also reactivating its Airbus A380 fleet, with 7 out of 10 aircraft already back in service. This includes a daily flight to Toronto (YYZ), which has boosted route capacity by 31%. Further A380s could return to the skies based on performance and profitability reviews.
Once grounded during the pandemic, these aircraft are now seen as valuable assets for Etihad’s long-haul, high-demand routes.