Emirates opens Dh500m crew training centre in Dubai with new pilot roles
New training hub boosts pilot capacity by 54 percent
DUBAI – Emirates has opened its new Dh500 million ($135 million) crew training centre while simultaneously launching a major recruitment drive for pilots.
The carrier is actively hiring for three key programmes – Direct Entry Captains, Accelerated Command, and First Officers non-type rated – as it prepares for a period of expansion and fleet modernisation.
The new state-of-the-art facility, unveiled in Dubai on Tuesday, will play a crucial role in shaping the airline’s future pilot workforce. Aspiring aviators are being invited to apply for an opportunity to join what Emirates describes as “the world’s largest international and most profitable airline with the biggest fleets of A380s and Boeing 777s.”
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, hailed the opening of the centre as “a game-changer” for both the industry and Dubai’s global standing in aviation. “Every dirham of our Dh500 million investment is already delivering value,” he said.
New Emirates crew training centre
The 63,318 sq. ft. purpose-built centre sits close to other Emirates training facilities in Dubai, reinforcing the emirate’s growing status as a major aviation hub. Once fully operational, it will increase Emirates’ pilot training capacity by 54 per cent, offering 130,000 training hours every year across 17 simulators.
Each simulator is capable of delivering 7,500 hours of training annually for up to 1,000 pilots. The airline’s first Airbus A350 simulator has already achieved the highest Level D qualification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and was also the first worldwide to meet the latest Airbus A350 Standard 1.3 with zero findings during qualification.
The facility currently houses six full-flight simulator bays, two of which are already being used for A350 training. Four additional simulators, including those for Boeing 777Xs, are scheduled to be installed over the next two years.
A standout feature is the in-house developed Pilot Support Station (PSS), described as an industry first. This system allows pilots to configure their flight deck and build flight plans in a fully immersive digital environment before stepping into the simulator. Training sessions are fully recorded, enabling instructors to review performance in detail and optimise learning outcomes.
Innovation and savings
The centre also incorporates advanced 3D printing capabilities, enabling the production of complex components for training equipment. This innovation is expected to generate annual savings of up to Dh1 million, while also supporting rapid prototyping and maintenance needs.
In addition to simulators, the facility includes four spacious classrooms for pilot recurrent, conversion and command training.
Emirates emphasised that its evidence-based training programmes are designed to keep pilots at the highest standards of competency, supported by experienced instructors.
Growth and recruitment
The new training centre comes as Emirates Group pushes ahead with a wider recruitment plan announced earlier this year, aiming to bring on board more than 17,300 professionals across 350 roles. The airline is now focused on attracting pilots for its three active programmes, as it prepares to induct the Airbus A350s and Boeing 777Xs into its fleet.
Alongside the new Crew Training Centre, Emirates continues to operate a network of educational and training facilities including the Emirates Flight Training Academy for cadets, Emirates Aviation University, Emirates Cabin Crew Training Centre, and the Emirates Aviation College. Together, these support the professional development of thousands of employees and aviation specialists in Dubai.