Etihad Airways offers permanent contracts to pilots on secondment of partnering airlines

Etihad Airways is offering pilots seconded from partner airlines the opportunity to transfer to permanent contracts, flying the carrier’s most advanced Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The pilot secondment programme began in April 2013 when the first batch of seven airberlin Boeing 737-rated first officers arrived in Abu Dhabi to start type conversion training on the Boeing 777 at Etihad Airways’ state-of-the-art Flight Training Centre.

To date, there are almost 200 partner airline pilots seconded to Etihad Airways. This includes 52 pilots from airberlin, 41 from Alitalia, 63 from Jet Airways, 25 from City Liner, four from Darwin Airline and six from Niki.

Upon joining, seconded pilots undergo an extensive training programme that lasts from three to five months. They complete a two-week induction programme to get acquainted with Etihad Airways standard flight operating procedures.

This is followed by a three-week theoretical ground school training to gain the technical skills required to proceed to a four-week practical flight simulator training, which covers normal and non-normal as well as emergency situations.

Trainees then have to pass a simulator test to obtain their licence from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority. This qualification is a prerequisite to start line training, flying with certified instructors for a minimum total period of three weeks until declared competent to perform the duties of an Etihad Airways pilot.

James Hogan, president and chief executive officer, Etihad Airways said, “Time after time, we prove that our partnership strategy is truly a winning business model. Together with our partners, we are sharing resources, incorporating our fleet programmes, aligning our staff expertise, and developing rewarding careers. Our pilot secondment programme is such an exciting and unique opportunity for pilots across our group of partner airlines, many of whom have a wealth of experience and are passionate about flying. We are able to put our pilots at the forefront of modern aviation and look forward to welcoming many more to join our family.”