Emirates is bringing back about 70 to 100 furloughed pilots back to work each month, as passenger loads hit 70 per cent, the airline's chief operating officer said.
A summer surge after a long period of coronavirus restrictions has given the carrier a boost after a difficult year for aviation.
In an interview with media, Adel Al Redha said passenger load factor has increased to about 70 per cent in recent months, compared with 44 per cent last year.
“Almost all of our Boeing 777s pilots are back at work,” he said.
"We are currently working on bringing in between 70 to 100 pilots per month
Adel Al Reha,
Emirates airline
“Regarding our A380 pilots, we will start building the numbers up as we put more aircraft back in operation.
“We are constrained with the number of training sessions that we can hold in our simulator, but we are currently working on bringing in between 70 to 100 pilots per month to re-train.”
Earlier this year, the airline resumed flights to 120 destinations, which is close to its pre-pandemic operations.
Mr Al Redha said as more countries open up to passengers and governments continue to revise protocols for travel, it will drive much-needed demand.
Currently, Emirates has reported an increase in interest and bookings for destinations including "Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Greece"
as well as the island destinations, such as the Maldives.
“In February or March we predicted a busy summer and a gradual improvement and return of normalisation [for the aviation industry],” he said.
“That is what we are seeing today.
“Thanks to the availability of vaccines here and globally, it has given the industry the breakthrough it needed. It is a motivating sight to see such high demand coming back within the sector.”
As the industry continues on an “upward trend to recovery”, Mr Al Redha said the pandemic has changed the way passengers book holidays.
Due to the ever-changing Covid-19 travel protocols in different countries, last minute bookings have become the norm.
Usually, where flights or holiday packages were booked between "six and nine months in advance of departure", that has changed to between two and three months.
India-UAE flights
Speaking about the extended ban on passenger flights from India to Dubai, Mr Al Redha said it is subject to government review and is constantly being monitored by the UAE leadership.
"They are continuously examining and reviewing developments regarding this," he said.
"We will have to wait and see what is coming from that side related to Covid-19, but it is not just India and Pakistan, but across the globe."
Eid travel surge
The Dubai airline is expecting high passenger volumes to pass through Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport this weekend, as traveller numbers reach among highest levels since the pandemic began.
Mr Al Redha did emphasise that as airports become a little more congested again, prior planning is necessary.
“[With more paperwork required for travel] it takes a bit longer to check in and board," he said.
“Make sure you arrive at the airport at least three hours before, especially during peak seasons.
“Take advantage of self check-in and enrol in the biometric system to make your experience through the airport more seamless.”
In November, Emirates offered some pilots unpaid leave for 12 months as the aviation industry continued to face pandemic-driven headwinds.
The decision was made to protect the airline’s talent pool for post-pandemic business recovery, but also to reduce the impact of its operations and cost base.
In addition, the airline announced that the fall in demand for travel in 2020 led to a cut in more than 33,000 jobs.
The workforce reduced by 31 per cent, to 75,145 employees, from more than 100,000 pre-pandemic.
More coverage from the Future Forum
ON%20TRACK
%3Cp%3EThe%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Assembly%20will%20host%20three%20main%20tracks%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducate%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Consists%20of%20more%20than%2010%20in-depth%20sessions%20on%20the%20metaverse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInspire%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Will%20showcase%20use%20cases%20of%20the%20metaverse%20in%20tourism%2C%20logistics%2C%20retail%2C%20education%20and%20health%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EContribute%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Workshops%20for%20metaverse%20foresight%20and%20use-case%20reviews%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group F
Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
88 Video's most popular rentals
Avengers 3: Infinity War: an American superhero film released in 2018 and based on the Marvel Comics story.
Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.
Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
