As it prepares to take flying in 2025, Saudi Arabia’s new airline Riyadh Air has begun the hiring process and asked pilots to apply.
“We are looking for the first complement of pilots to join our team, which will take us through the training period and build right up to the launch of the airline. I encourage anybody who’s got experience training on the Boeing 787-9 or the Boeing 777 aircraft to look online at the opportunities we have,” said Peter Bellew, chief operating officer, Riyadh Air.
Launched by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom, the airline placed a multibillion-dollar order in April 2023 for up to 72 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This includes 39 confirmed aircraft with a further 33 wide-body 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft available for purchase.
It plans to invest up to $11 billion in up to 121 787 Dreamliners, the fifth-largest commercial order in Boeing’s history, to help the nation reach its 2030 target of servicing 330 million passengers and drawing 100 million tourists.
According to Bellew, the hiring process will begin in September 2023, and full onboarding will begin at the airline in January 2024.
“Across the airline with 39 aircraft coming, we’re going to hire 700 pilots across the next three years. We are looking for the people who have experience on the 787 but also people who’ve got existing wide-body experience,” Bellew added.
The need for business and leisure travel around the world has helped the aviation industry recover quickly from the pandemic.
The chief operating officer of Riyadh Air extended an invitation to all qualified people to submit an application.
“If you’re interested in living in one of the most vibrant capitals on the planet that’s experiencing incredible industrial and leisure development, and willing to experience an adventure within the Arab culture, this could be just the location that suits you. Apply online and we will be in touch with you over the next couple of weeks,” Bellew said.
