flydubai steps up pilot training ahead of fleet expansion

Dubai-based flydubai is intensifying its pilot training efforts as it prepares for a significant expansion of its fleet. The airline has forged new partnerships with Egnatia Aviation and Skyborne Airline Academy to provide cadets with a clear pathway from initial training to first officer positions within the Dubai carrier. These collaborations were announced on September 18 and will cover the first group of cadets enrolled in flydubai's Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme, which was initiated in May 2025.

Both academies will offer flight instruction to cadets pursuing a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) before transitioning into flydubai's flight operations.

This strategic move aligns with flydubai's ongoing fleet and workforce expansion. The airline currently operates nearly 100 Boeing 737 aircraft across more than 125 destinations and has placed orders for over 300 aircraft. An additional 11 Boeing 737 aircraft are scheduled to join the fleet by the end of 2026, while deliveries of 30 Boeing 787 Dreamliners are set to commence in early 2028.

The Ab Initio programme, which targets cadets aged between 17 and 28, provides an integrated training pathway encompassing ground school, simulator sessions, and flight instruction, followed by line training. Nationalities of the selected cadets include the UAE, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Kenya, and the UK. The airline operates a state-of-the-art 38,000-square-foot Flight Training centre with four Boeing 737 Full-Flight Simulators, enabling cadets to progress from initial instruction to training on actual aircraft used within flydubai's network.

Egnatia and Skyborne are both certified by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and offer commercial pilot training designed to prepare cadets for airline operations. As flydubai continues to grow, the airline currently employs 7,000 people from 144 nationalities, with over 1,520 qualified pilots on its roster. Recruitment efforts are ongoing as the carrier prepares for the arrival of more aircraft and further network expansion.