Founded in 2003, Etihad Airways is one of the United Arab Emirates’ two flag‑carrier airlines. It began operations on 5 November 2003 and is headquartered in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi. According to the most recent data (July 2025), the airline operates over 1000 flights each week to more than 120 passenger and cargo destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Etihad’s fleet has grown rapidly; the airline’s infobox notes a fleet size of 112 aircraft and a network of 120 destinations, and a May 2025 traffic report highlighted that the operating fleet reached 100 aircraft with passenger load factors of 87%.
Etihad is embarking on an ambitious Journey 2030 strategy, which aims to double its fleet size and triple passenger numbers over the next six years. The strategy includes expanding its route network, investing in additional Airbus and Boeing aircraft and hiring thousands of new employees. In May 2025 alone, the airline hired 1685 new staff members and announced plans to recruit a further 1500 employees by the end of 2025, as it prepares to double its workforce by 2030.
Expansion and New Routes for 2025–2026
Etihad’s growth is not limited to fleet and staff. A July 2025 press release announced seven new destinations that will join the network between late 2025 and mid‑2026. The new routes will connect Abu Dhabi to:
| Destination | Country/Region | Expected launch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almaty | Kazakhstan | March 2026 | Part of wider Central Asian expansion. |
| Baku | Azerbaijan | March 2026 | Adds connectivity to the Caucasus. |
| Bucharest | Romania | March 2026 | Enhances Etihad’s European network. |
| Medina | Saudi Arabia | November 2025 | Important spiritual destination; flights start sooner. |
| Tbilisi | Georgia | March 2026 | Connects travellers to the Caucasus. |
| Tashkent | Uzbekistan | March 2026 | Brings Etihad to Central Asia. |
| Yerevan | Armenia | March 2026 | Expands point‑to‑point traffic to the Caucasus. |
The announcement noted that the airline had launched or commenced operations to 27 new routes in 2025 and that Etihad planned to add three more seasonal summer destinations in 2026—Krakow (Poland), Salalah (Oman) and Kazan (Russia)—during peak travel months. CEO Antonoaldo Neves emphasised that the goal is to “bring more people directly to Abu Dhabi” and that the diverse destinations—ranging from the spiritual significance of Medina to the modern vibrancy of Baku—will stimulate tourism and trade in the UAE.
Current Job Vacancies – Etihad Careers 2026
Etihad’s recruitment drive has continued into 2026. As of 26 November 2025, the Etihad careers portal lists 50 open positions across a range of departments and geographies. Below is an overview of the types of roles currently available (examples are based on the live vacancies as of November 2025):
Cargo and Freight Operations
- Freighter Operations Controller – UAEN (Abu Dhabi) – Oversees the integrity of freighter operations, planning and coordination of cargo movements.
- Cargo Control Tower Officer – UAEN (Abu Dhabi) – Manages cargo control tower activities and ensures on‑time performance in freighter operations.
- Cargo Contact Centre & Control Tower Manager (Abu Dhabi) – Leads cargo control teams and liaises with ground handlers.
- Freighter Operations Controller (Abu Dhabi) – Similar to the above but open to non‑UAE nationals.
Revenue, Finance & Procurement
- Flight Manager (Revenue Management) (Abu Dhabi) – Oversees revenue management strategies for specific markets.
- Manager Finance – Accounts Payables (UAE National Only) – Handles payables within the financial reporting & control office.
- Procurement Officer (UAE National) – Supports procurement activities within operations excellence.
- Procurement Coordinator – Provides administrative support for procurement and inventory teams.
Talent Acquisition and People
- Manager, Pilot Recruitment Programmes (Abu Dhabi) – Designs and delivers recruitment strategies for pilot cadet programmes.
- Brew Your Career: An exclusive hiring experience for talented Emiratis in Data & Insights – A talent‑acquisition programme targeting Emirati nationals with data‑analytics skills.
Commercial & Customer‑Facing Roles
- Manager Global Accounts – Manages commercial relationships with major cargo customers.
- Sales Representative (Delhi) – Represents Etihad in the Indian market to drive corporate sales.
Engineering and Support Functions
- Network Planning Analyst – Analyses route networks and schedules (Abu Dhabi).
- Lead Airworthiness Engineer – Etihad Engineering – Ensures compliance with airworthiness standards for Etihad’s fleet.
- Performance Engineer – Provides performance analysis for aircraft operations.
These examples demonstrate the diversity of opportunities—spanning cargo operations, corporate roles, finance, engineering, talent acquisition and regional sales. Candidates should regularly visit the official Etihad careers portal, as positions can change quickly and new vacancies are added as the airline’s growth accelerates.
How to Apply for Etihad Airways Jobs (2026)
To apply for a role at Etihad Airways in 2026, follow the steps below:
- Visit the official Etihad careers site: Go to the Etihad careers portal (jobs.etihad.com) via the Find Jobs section on
careers.etihad.com. - Search for open roles: Use keywords, department filters or location filters to refine the list of vacancies.
- Select a position: Click on the job title to view the detailed description, responsibilities and qualifications. Review these carefully to ensure you meet the requirements.
- Create or sign in to your candidate profile: Applicants must create a candidate account or sign in to an existing account to submit applications.
- Complete the application: Fill out the online application form with accurate personal information, upload your résumé/CV and any supporting documents, and answer any pre‑screening questions.
- Submit the application: After reviewing your details for accuracy, submit the application. Etihad advises applicants to beware of recruitment fraud; the airline does not request payments or sensitive financial information.
Conclusion
Etihad Airways is entering 2026 with strong momentum. With a fleet exceeding 100 aircraft, network expansion to over 120 destinations, and a Journey 2030 strategy aiming to double fleet size and triple passenger numbers, the airline is investing heavily in people and infrastructure. Press releases from mid‑2025 announced seven new destinations—Almaty, Baku, Bucharest, Medina, Tbilisi, Tashkent and Yerevan—bringing the total number of new routes launched in 2025 to 27.
To support this growth, Etihad’s recruitment drive has resulted in 50 open positions across cargo operations, revenue management, finance, procurement, talent acquisition, engineering and customer‑facing roles. Applicants interested in joining this rapidly expanding airline should regularly monitor the official careers portal and follow the application process outlined above. With a commitment to innovation, world‑class service and ambitious expansion plans, Etihad Airways offers a dynamic and rewarding career environment for 2026 and beyond.