Middle East airlines are expected to need 10,300 pilots by 2030, according to the 2025 aviation jobs brief by Oliver Wyman.
The report warns that despite expansion and shortages in North America and Europe, the Middle East remains the only region where there is a need for a pilot faster than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply there is a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply than a faster supply
The acquisition highlights that unprecedented fleet expansion across the gulf carriers will reduce long-term labor pressures, forcing airlines to compete fiercely for skilled talent.
Middle East Pilot Shortage
Many regional airlines have traditionally relied on pilots from overseas markets for surplus supply – a strategy that is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.
According to the study, the Pilot region gap will widen as mid-sized and medium-sized carriers breed faster than they can hire or train workers.
To offset this, it is expected that airlines will continue to offer tax relief packages and more opportunities to use private jets to attract foreign pilots.
André Martins, head of travel and industry Advance in the East, and Africa at Oliver Wyman, said: “The Middle East is facing 2030, Airlines are growing rapidly in 2030, carriers will have to think differently about finding a challenge, training and retaining talent.
“Solutions such as local training pipelines, advanced coverage, and new work methods will be critical to driving growth.”
Transforming Things to Come First Pilot
The report also highlights gearnational changes in driver expectations. Young innovators are prioritizing work-life balance, flexibility, and planning control over traditional architecture and buildings.
This is a natural re-imagining of how airlines should design contracts and manage retention strategies.
At the same time, pilot costs are rising faster than airline revenues due to higher payment requirements and evolving labor regulations.
Oliver Wyman warns that this trend could create new challenges for airline operations leaders, requiring good workforce planning and appropriate planning models.
Technology consultation notes – including Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR / AR) Data-driven safety tools – Opportunities to improve driver readiness and cost-effective training.
The report calls for a greater focus on local training, urging Middle Eastern carriers to build a pipeline of continuous pilot development in the region rather than relying solely on external recruitment.
A key discovery in the Middle East
- 10,300 pilots needed by 2030 – largest climate shortage of any region in the world
- Continued reliance on expatriate pilots attracted by tax-free payments and long haul routes
- Young pilots put the rigor of the schedule and quality of life
- Rising Operating Costs to Suppress Carriers through Skilled Workforce Planning
- Opportunity to acquire VR / AR and in-house training programs to build long-term talent capacity
