Emirates Group Adds 9,696 Jobs and Awards 20‑Week Profit‑Share Bonus in FY2025–26
Emirates Group added 9,696 jobs in FY2025–26 and granted staff a profit-share bonus equivalent to 20 weeks’ pay, while upgrading pay and employee benefits.
The group’s annual report says the hires supported operational expansion across Emirates airline and dnata, and that the reward program reflected another profitable year.
Emirates Group adds 9,696 jobs in FY2025–26
The Emirates Group recorded net hiring of more than 9,696 positions during the financial year 2025–26 to meet growth in passenger and cargo services as well as ground operations.
Recruitment activity spanned the global footprint of Emirates and dnata, targeting both operational roles and professional functions to support expanded schedules and logistics demand.
The group said the hiring push was part of a sustained programme to scale operations and maintain service standards as travel volumes recovered and new routes and commercial services were introduced.
Human resources leaders highlighted targeted recruitment in customer service, engineering, cargo handling and IT to strengthen core capabilities and resilience.
Profit-share bonus equals 20 weeks’ salary for eligible staff
In recognition of the group’s financial performance, eligible employees received a profit-share payment the report described as equivalent to 20 weeks’ salary.
The annual report noted the payment was made after another year of strong results and said the group’s profit-sharing policy is designed to distribute the gains of collective performance across the workforce.
The document also referenced prior distributions, stating the group had paid profit shares of 40% and 46% of annual base salary in the two previous years, underscoring the company’s recurring practice of profit participation.
Executives framed the latest bonus as part of a consistent approach to reward staff while balancing long-term sustainability and reinvestment in the business.
Wage structures and allowances revised to retain talent
To attract and retain staff, Emirates Group said it reviewed and adjusted base salaries and allowances during FY2025–26 to keep compensation competitive and fair.
The report emphasised that pay structures were aligned with sector benchmarks and responsive to broader economic conditions to support employees amid changing cost pressures.
Management highlighted increases to basic pay and select allowances as part of that review, alongside updated practices for overtime and productivity payments to recognise work performed outside regular hours.
These adjustments were presented as measures to reinforce morale and reduce attrition as the aviation sector competes fiercely for skilled workers.
Expanded family, study and national service leave provisions
The group introduced a series of enhancements to leave entitlements and family-support policies during the year, aimed at improving employee wellbeing and work-life balance.
Notable changes included the introduction of maternity leave for part-time employees and a new care leave entitlement available to all staff for family or personal responsibilities.
Paid study leave was widened to help employees pursue qualifications, and a specific national service leave was added for UAE nationals to support their civic commitments.
The report also detailed greater flexibility in the use of education travel tickets for children studying outside Dubai, reflecting efforts to accommodate diverse family needs.
Human resources review and modernisation of policies
Emirates Group said it conducts regular reviews of benefits and policies to ensure they remain modern, fair and fit for purpose.
During 2025–26 the group implemented multiple enhancements intended to improve the employee experience, including updates to how overtime and productivity pay are calculated and disbursed.
The HR review also focused on improving inclusivity and consistency across its global workforce, with changes that aim to standardise entitlements while allowing for local regulatory differences.
Company statements framed these updates as part of a continuous programme to align the employee value proposition with strategic growth objectives and evolving workforce expectations.
Operational growth underpins financial capacity to reward staff
The ability to grant a significant profit-share payment coincided with what the group described as another record or strong profit year, enabling the redistribution of earnings to employees.
Executives linked the financial results to resilient demand across passenger travel, cargo operations and ground services, which together supported both hiring and staff rewards.
While the group did not publish detailed segment-by-segment figures in the summary, it attributed performance to network expansion, improved yields and efficiencies in operations and cargo handling.
The company said reinvestment in people and capabilities will remain a priority as it balances growth, customer service and longer-term sustainability.
The hiring surge and benefits upgrades signal the Emirates Group’s commitment to strengthening its workforce as aviation activity grows, while sharing financial gains with employees through its profit-sharing policy.