Picture Credits: flydubai
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: flydubai, the Dubai-based low-cost airline, has officially launched its Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme as a strategic move to address the growing demand for qualified commercial pilots. This initiative aims to train aspiring pilots starting from ground school through to operational flying, preparing them to serve as Second Officers on the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet.
The programme targets candidates aged 17 and above who have completed their high school education, with minimum academic requirements in Mathematics and Physics. Applicants undergo a selection process that includes aptitude and cognitive assessments, English language proficiency tests, and medical examinations to ensure they meet the airline’s standards. The training duration is expected to last between 18 to 24 months, encompassing theoretical instruction, simulator training, practical flight lessons, and supervised line flying experience.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said:
“Dubai has emerged as one of the global aviation hubs by not only connecting the world, but also attracting skilled talent who choose to make the city their home. We are proud to have played a key role in supporting Dubai’s aviation and economic vision and we will continue to invest in initiatives that grow our skilled workforce, who contribute to the success of this industry. This programme opens the door to homegrown Emirati talent, as well as residents and international applicants, who are passionate about aviation, to pursue a career in one of the most thriving hubs in the world.”
To support this comprehensive training, flydubai has established a dedicated Flight Training Centre located on its campus in Dubai. The center covers approximately 38,000 square feet and is equipped with six full-motion flight simulators designed to replicate real flying conditions on Boeing 737 aircraft. This state-of-the-art facility is capable of delivering over 43,000 training hours annually, providing cadets with immersive and extensive hands-on experience. The center is integral to flydubai’s training operations and reflects the airline’s investment in high-quality pilot education.
Commenting on the launch of the programme, Captain Ahmad Bin Huzaim, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at flydubai, said:
“The flydubai Ab Initio programme is designed to identify and train passionate individuals, with little to no prior flying experience, and prepare them to operate as second officers on our growing fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The rigorous programme is a structured journey that takes cadets from foundational theory to commercial flight readiness in approximately 18 to 24 months.”
“While academic excellence forms the foundation of this programme, we equally value leadership, teamwork and decisiveness – core attributes of any successful pilot. The launch of the new Ab Initio programme opens the doors to numerous opportunities to grow our talent pool and we look forward to developing the programme in the future to cover more roles in the aviation industry, including maintenance and engineering, air traffic controllers and much more,” added Bin Huzaim.
Upon successful completion of the programme, cadets will be appointed as Second Officers with a defined salary and benefits package. The contract includes a five-year commitment to flydubai, underlining the airline’s long-term approach to developing its pilot workforce. The programme also sets clear pathways for career progression within flydubai and potential opportunities for advancement in partner airlines.
This pilot training initiative forms part of flydubai’s broader response to global pilot shortages and reflects ongoing efforts to expand its operational capacity. Applications for the Ab Initio Pilot Training Programme are processed through the airline’s official careers portal, providing transparent and structured access for interested candidates.
For detailed information and application procedures, interested individuals can visit flydubai’s official careers website.
