The number of citizens in technical jobs rises 18% during 2024

The General Authority for Civil Aviation revealed that the percentage of localization in technical jobs in the civil aviation sector during the past year 2024 witnessed remarkable growth compared to 2023, as the number of citizens working in technical fields increased by more than 18% in just one year.

The authority reviewed the Emirates Today, the most prominent growth indicators for localization of jobs in the sector, especially in the number of Emirati pilots, air hospitality sets, the number of aviation engineers, in addition to both the number of air observers, and the number of flight operations employees.

In detail, the Director General of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Saif Muhammad Al -Suwaidi, said that the percentage of localization in technical jobs in the civil aviation sector during the past year 2024 witnessed remarkable growth compared to 2023, as the number of citizens working in technical fields increased by more than 18% in just one year.

In response to questions to «Emirates Today» that the number of Emirati pilots increased from 924 pilots in 2023 to 1089 pilots in 2024, a growth of 17.9%, while the number of Emirati air hospitality sets increased from 25 to 28 citizens, with a growth rate of 12%, while the number of Emirati aviation engineers increased from 574 to 590 citizens and citizenship, an increase of their rate 2.8%.

He added that the number of Emirati air observers also increased from 126 to 133 Emirates, with a growth rate of 5.6%, and the number of flight operations employees increased from 22 to 26 Emiratis, with a growth of 18.2%.

Al -Suwaidi stressed that these numbers reflect the success of the efforts made to enhance the participation of citizens in the aviation sector, especially in the fields of leadership, such as pilots and air observers, pointing out that the aviation sector witnessed an increase in resettlement rates, supported by the expansion of national airlines and enhancing its role in advancing economic growth in the country.

Al -Suwaidi explained that the localization of technical and specialized jobs in the civil aviation sector represents a priority for the General Authority of Civil Aviation, which works according to an integrated strategy to develop, train and attract Emirati cadres in this sector, through annual localization campaigns that include a set of activities such as the “Buds of Air” program, which aims to motivate the generations arising to study the specializations related to the aviation industry, as well as cooperation with many universities Academic, scientific and research institutions, to develop students’ skills and knowledge in the fields of academic sector, as well as linking them with companies operating in the sector to provide opportunities for training and work, the most prominent of which is the “Professor Chair” for the General Authority of Civil Aviation at the University of Sharjah, which includes a master’s program in air and space law.

He pointed out that, in addition, the authority has specialized training programs to develop and qualify national cadres in the aviation sector, including the National Program for Training on Air traffic control and other specialized programs.

Al -Suwaidi stated that there is a set of challenges facing resettlement efforts in the aviation sector, where the biggest challenge is the number of national cadres interested in technical specializations related to the sector, as well as the need for extensive exercises and specialized certificates to the possibility of joining specialized jobs in the sector, as well as competition with the private sector, where some international companies offer more attractive offers for national talents.

Al -Suwaidi said that the poor demand for some jobs in the sector may be due to work requirements, such as continuous travel, or long working hours.

He stressed that the authority is working to overcome these challenges by expanding training programs to increase the number of citizens qualified to fill technical jobs, and to provide incentives and functional guarantees that contribute to attracting and pursuing national cadres, in addition to enhancing awareness about professional opportunities in the sector, their importance for the economic future of the state, and working with partners in the sector, to ensure an attractive work environment that motivates citizens to join and continue in the sector.

. 12 %increase in the number of Emirati air hospitality sets during the year 2024.

. 133 Emirati air observers at the end of 2024 a growth of 5.6% from 2023.