According to the «Flight Operations Report 2025», published by Oliver Wyman, airlines in the Middle East will need an additional 10,300 pilots by 2030. «While shortages in North America and Europe are gradually easing, the Middle East remains the only region where the demand for pilots continues to significantly exceed supply,» the study states.

Growing Networks, New Players

However, the staffing shortages in cockpits and the industry’s ambitions are at odds, as airlines across the region are aiming high. The major carriers—Emirates (Dubai), Etihad (Abu Dhabi), Qatar Airways (Doha) and Saudia Airlines have been steadily expanding their route networks or adding new destinations since the end of the pandemic. The state-owned airline Emirates, for example, has been flying since mid-2025 to new destinations such as Shenzhen and Hangzhou in China, as well as—after a 13-year hiatus—back to the Syrian capital, Damascus. Qatar Airways has entered the South American market, adding Bogotá, Colombia, with a continuing flight to Caracas, Venezuela, to its schedule. Recently, Riyadh Air from Saudi Arabia entered the market, aiming to serve over 100 destinations by 2030.

Good Career Prospects for Aspirants From Overseas

Oliver Wyman expects that these airlines will continue to attract foreign pilots with tax-free salary packages and expanded opportunities to operate long-haul aircraft. However, «the report notes that the gap is likely to widen further, as younger pilots increasingly value work-life balance, flexibility, and control over their schedules more highly than traditional pay and promotion models,» says André Martins, Head of Transportation and Advanced Industrials for India, the Middle East, and Africa at Oliver Wyman in Dubai.

«At the same time, personnel costs—driven by higher salaries and new labor regulations—are rising faster than airline revenues, putting additional pressure on flight operations managers,» Martins adds.

Further Middle Eastern aircraft orders are expected to be finalized at the upcoming Dubai Airshow, which will take place from November 17 to 21 2025.