DUBAI — Dubai Air Show 2025 featured some of the most notable aircraft orders from the Middle East. Along with the additional order of 65 Boeing 777-9 for Emirates (EK) and a top-up of 8 Airbus A350-900. The airline has placed orders for a large number of Boeing 777-9s and Airbus A350-900s, with 13 already in service.

This means the airline is not only renewing its fleet but also increasing the total fleet size beyond its current levels. This exacerbates the already existing problem of pilot shortages and increases future requirements.

After three busy days of the Dubai Air Show 2025, Airways was invited to the Emirates Aviation College, where we sat down with the Senior Vice President of Flight Training for EK, Captain Bader Almarzooqi, along with other journalists. Much of the discussion centered on training procedures, aviation college, life as a cabin crew/ pilot at EK, and future pilot requirements.

Pilot Training And Flight Simulators

As we entered the room for discussions, we had a clear view of two A350 flight simulators in operation. Captain Bader Almarzooqi noted that the training facility has a capacity of 17 simulator bases and currently includes 2 Airbus A350, 6 Boeing 777-300s, and 5 Airbus A380 simulators.

Additional simulators will be added shortly with the arrival of another A350 simulator in November, which is expected to be operational by March 2026. Another Boeing 777-300 simulator is expected to be ready by April 2026, and the first Boeing 777-9 simulator is scheduled for June 2026. Although the addition of Boeing 787 simulators is on the books, the exact timing for their implementation has not yet been determined.

The Emirates Flight Training Academy conducts ab-initio, type rating, and recurrent training for pilots, with approximately six pilots graduating each month. Although the type rating for new pilots is conducted on Boeing 777s, Captain Almarzooqi expects the Airbus A350 cadet program to start by January 2026. Furthermore, the Captain believes that with the addition of Boeing 777-9 simulators, pilots would require just a minimum training to bridge from the existing Boeing 777 type rating, much similar to Airbus Cross Crew Qualification (CCQ).

With approximately 4,800 pilots currently employed by the airline, a typical journey for a first officer with 2,000 hours of flying time would be around 3 years as a first officer before becoming a captain or undergoing command training after fulfilling the industry-standard hours. “For a carrier as big as Emirates, when comparing other operators of this size, this is kind of like the shortest.”, added Captain Almarzooqi.

Amid the current shortage of pilots, EK has already recruited the pilots required by the end of the current financial year. “Six months before the financial year closes, we have offered and covered the recruitment requirement for the end of March”, he added. “On top, we have selected the pool for the next financial year, which starts from April 2026, with three digits, which we will be able to offer a job here.”

Competition among airlines in the region to attract pilots is fierce, but EK offers competitive packages, including allowances and on-the-job perks.

During the discussions, Captain Almarzooqi emphasised the importance of maintaining a safety-focused culture throughout the airline. Pilots are trained to respond to human factors scenarios across multiple stages of the training program, in addition to evidence-based training that has been part of the airline’s procedures since 2018. Furthermore, the courses are updated quarterly to ensure they remain aligned with current industry standards.

The safety culture applies not only to training practices but also to addressing mental health issues. EK currently has dedicated doctors and established protocols to ensure confidentiality, monitor health status, and encourage employees to report such matters to the appropriate authorities.