Etihad to step up hiring of Emirati staff

ABU DHABI // More than 1,000 Emiratis are expected to join Etihad Airways’ new centre of excellence for revenue accounting over the next three years.

The national airline of the Emirates on Sunday announced plans for a dedicated centre of excellence in Al Ain and to create job opportunities for Emiratis.

About 100 Emiratis have already been hired as part of the project, after a recruitment campaign in Al Ain, which was held in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Tawteen Council.

The first group of employees has received a certification from the International Air Transport Association, and will join the centre from October 1.

More than 500 Emiratis will be hired during the project’s first year of operation. Employee numbers are forecast to exceed 800 by the end of 2016 and reach more than 1,000 by the end of 2017, depending on the level of demand from participating airlines around the world, Etihad said.

The centre will be a global leader in revenue accounting, offering a range of competitively priced services that will bring cost savings and operational efficiencies to airlines, including Etihad Airways.

It will also create long-term economic value for the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the airline said.

“Through the establishment of a world-class centre of excellence, Etihad Airways and other airlines can achieve financial and operational success,” said James Hogan, chief executive of Etihad Airways.