Middle East carrier seeks captains and first officers based in Brazil, marking a new phase of global pilot recruitment
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced a new recruitment campaign targeting A320 pilots in São Paulo, Brazil. The initiative aims to hire captains and first officers based in the region, as part of the airline’s broader strategy to expand its international operations.
While the company has not disclosed the number of vacancies, it confirmed via its official website that São Paulo is the first of several global locations where recruitment efforts are being rolled out. Additional locations are expected to open for applications in the near future.
This move marks a notable return to the Brazilian aviation scene for Etihad, which previously operated direct flights between Abu Dhabi and São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport until the route was suspended in 2017. The airline, now led by Brazilian CEO Antonoaldo Neves, has since focused on strengthening its network, particularly to Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.
The vacancies come with competitive salaries and benefits. Captains are offered an annual salary of USD 171,589, based on a minimum of 75 flight hours per month, while first officers can expect USD 138,318 under the same conditions.
To qualify, captains must have at least 5,500 total flight hours, including a minimum of 1,500 hours as pilot-in-command. First officers must hold a minimum of 2,500 total flight hours, with at least 500 on one of the A320 family aircraft—commonly deployed on short-haul and regional routes.
The hiring campaign underscores Etihad’s proactive approach to securing experienced flight crews amid rising global demand for pilots. It also reflects the airline’s renewed interest in Latin America and the growing importance of Brazil as a strategic hub for international aviation talent.
Further details on application procedures and eligibility criteria can be found on Etihad’s official recruitment portal.
