Air Arabia Pilot Salary in 2025

Emirati low-cost carrier Air Arabia (G9) is one of a handful of no frills operators in the Middle East region otherwise filled with some of the world’s most luxurious airlines. Founded over 20 years ago, G9 is headquartered in Sharjah and apart from the city’s main airport, also operates flights from its other bases in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

Air Arabia operates a fleet of 51 aircraft and serves 81 destinations in Asia, Africa and Europe. The airline has a network of planes dominated by the narrow-body Airbus A320 family and holds the recognition of being the first low-cost carrier from the Middle East. Also known for mainly hiring pilots from overseas, Air Arabia continues to pay a handsome salary in spite of its cost-effective operating model.

Photo: Air Arabia

Air Arabia Pilot Salary

Air Arabia First Officer Salary

Air Arabia first officers are generally individuals who graduate from the airline’s cadet program or are hired from overseas depending on their qualifications and careers with other airlines. They assist the captains in flying from point A to point B, and handle secondary responsibilities in the cockpit like communication with air traffic control and carrying out safety checks.

Interestingly, Air Arabia’s model of payment to its first officers works depending on their total flying hours throughout their careers. Here is how FOs are compensated.

• Less than 1,500 hours – AED 19,000 per month/AED 228,000 per year (approx. US$5,100 monthly or US$61,200 yearly).
• 1,501 to 3,000 hours – AED 25,500 per month/AED 306,000 per year (approx. US$6,900 monthly or US$82,800 yearly).
• Over 3,001 hours – AED 30,500 per month/AED 366,000 per year (approx. US$8,300 monthly or US$99,600 yearly).

The above compensation is paid for 60 flying hours each month and any additional hours over and above the set limit are paid through an hourly rate of AED 200 (approx. US$54), and a per diem allowance for taking care of miscellaneous expenses is AED 110 (approx. US$30).

Photo: Air Arabia

Air Arabia Captain Salary

Air Arabia captains are the airline’s most experienced crop of pilots. They are either first officers from within G9 who have been promoted to the commander’s position or are hired from overseas depending on operational requirements. They are tasked with flying from the origin to the destination, management of crew and making safety-related decisions when required.

The captains at Air Arabia are compensated with a monthly salary ranging from AED 27,500 per month to AED 45,000 per month (approx. ranging from US$7,500 to US$12,200 monthly) or between AED 330,000 to AED 540,000 annually (approx. US$90,000 to US$146,400). This amount depends on their experience and is paid for 60 hours of monthly flying.

Any additional flying hours in a month are compensated at the rate of AED 404 (approx. US$110) and a per diem allowance of AED 180 (approx. US$50) is paid out as well.

Photo: Air Arabia

Benefits enjoyed by Air Arabia pilots

Air Arabia pilots are entitled to the following benefits apart from their salaries.

• EDUCATION ALLOWANCE – An education allowance is paid for up to three children between the ages of 4 to 19 for each pilot. This amount varies depending on whether the studies are undertaken in the United Arab Emirates or overseas, although the exact figure is yet to be clarified.
• MEDICAL INSURANCE – A private and comprehensive medical insurance policy is offered to every pilot, their spouse and children. This looks after any medical-related expenditure around the world for each nominated individual.
• LIFE & ACCIDENT COVER – Apart from a medical insurance, accident and life covers are provided by Air Arabia too. The pilots’ families are entitled to a fixed compensation amount in case of death whilst being employed by the carrier, whereas the accident cover looks after any expenses incurred if a mishap occurs on duty.
• ANNUAL LEAVE – In addition to 12 sick days off in a year, pilots are entitled to 42 paid annual leaves in a calendar year too. This is in addition to any public holidays over the course of the year, as well as the minimum seven days off in a month that the airline guarantees as part of its work-life balance program.
• STAFF TRAVEL BENEFITS – All Air Arabia pilots are entitled to staff travel benefits which include unlimited, free standby tickets on routes operated by the carrier.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Air Arabia Maroc, CN-NMO, Airbus A320-214, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87491709

Aircraft flown by Air Arabia pilots

Air Arabia’s fleet consists of the below aircraft:

• Airbus A320-200 – 42
• Airbus A321-200 – 3
• Airbus A321LR – 6

In addition to the above, the following airplanes are on order.

• Airbus A320neo – 73
• Airbus A321neo – 27
• Airbus A321XLR – 20

For the aircraft on order, it is not known yet how many the parent airline (Air Arabia) will own and how many will be transferred to its subsidiaries.

Photo: Air Arabia

How to become a pilot at Air Arabia?

Air Arabia has the following requirements of all its pilots that have not graduated from the carrier’s own cadet program:

• Appropriate ATPL License is a must.
• He/she must pass the technical/psychometric assessment for Pilots as per the Airline and respective civil aviation authority standards.
• He/she must pass the Medical Fitness check-up carried for the Pilots as per the Airline and respective civil aviation authority standards.
• Training in safety and emergency response is essential – a formal qualification is an advantage.
• Basic Airport, security procedures and regulations training is an advantage.
• Crew Resources Management Training is considered an advantage.
• IATA principles & standards relating to security is an advantage.

Air Arabia requires first officer candidates to pass the following requirements:

• He/She must have a minimum of 1000 hours on Airbus 320 family as First Officer.
• Clear training and flying records.
• Experience with low-cost airlines is highly desirable.
• Possesses acceptable industry knowledge in aircraft systems and operating procedures.
• Capable of performing in a changing environment with heavy work-load schedules and ad-hoc scenarios.
• Composed, self-confident and focused, capable of handling emergencies and threats with efficiency.

On the other hand, captains are expected to meet the below criteria:

• He/she must have completed a minimum of 4000 hours of flying an aircraft,
• A minimum of 800 hours as PIC on Airbus 320 is required.
• Possesses acceptable industry knowledge in aircraft systems and operating procedures.
• Exposure to QA/Safety/Security/Audit procedures and practices related to and affecting Flight Operations.
• Capable of implementing policies, procedures, and manuals as per approved standards and regulations.
• Cost-oriented, possesses effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• High accuracy and attention to both results and details.

Air Arabia Pilot FAQs

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