Saudi Arabia’s recently established airline, Riyadh Air, has commenced its recruitment campaign and is actively inviting pilots to submit their applications as it prepares for its inaugural flight in 2025.
“We are looking for the first complement of pilots to join our team, which will take us through the training period and build right up to the launch of the airline. I encourage anybody who’s got experience training on the Boeing 787-9 or the Boeing 777 aircraft to look online at the opportunities we have,” said Peter Bellew, chief operating officer, Riyadh Air.
Backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Riyadh Air placed a substantial order for a fleet of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft in April 2023. The deal, valued at billions of dollars, included an initial purchase of 39 confirmed planes, with an option to acquire an additional 33 wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners.
In total, Riyadh Air plans to procure up to 121 787 Dreamliners, making it the fifth-largest commercial order in terms of value in Boeing’s history. This strategic move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s objective of accommodating 330 million passengers and attracting 100 million visitors by 2030.
Riyadh Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Bellew, stated that the interview process will commence in September 2023, and the airline aims to officially onboard new staff members starting from January 2024.
“Across the airline with 39 aircraft coming, we’re going to hire 700 pilots across the next three years. We are looking for the people who have experience on the 787 but also people who’ve got existing wide-body experience,” Bellew added.
The aviation industry has experienced a robust recovery following the impact of the pandemic, fueled by a surge in demand for both business and leisure travel worldwide.
Dubai’s prominent airline witnessed significant growth in the past financial year of 2022-23, with the addition of 17,160 employees. The company has recently unveiled plans for a substantial recruitment campaign, seeking to hire cabin crew, pilots, engineers, and customer services staff.
In line with this trend, flydubai, another prominent airline based in Dubai, announced its intention to recruit over 1,000 new employees during the current year.
The chief operating officer of Riyadh Air extended an invitation to interested candidates, encouraging them to seize the opportunity by submitting their applications.
“If you’re interested in living in one of the most vibrant capitals on the planet that’s experiencing incredible industrial and leisure development, and willing to experience an adventure within the Arab culture, this could be just the location that suits you. Apply online and we will be in touch with you over the next couple of weeks,” Bellew said.
