Etihad set to launch recruitment drive in Ireland

Etihad Airways has announced a recruitment drive in Ireland to find at least 100 new Irish employees to support the carrier's growth around the world.

Etihad already employs more than 90 Irish staff at Dublin airport, its Dublin line maintenance operation and across its global network.

Now the airline's CEO said he was aiming to more than double those numbers.

James Hogan, who is in Dublin to participate in the Global Irish Economic Forum at Dublin Castle, said: “We’ve built close relationships with Ireland and with Irish communities around the world since we began our service to Dublin four years ago.

“We have directly invested more than €16m into Ireland over that time. That money has gone into our premium lounge and ground operations at Dublin airport, our Dublin Line Maintenance Centre and of course our sponsorship commitment as a supporter of GAA hurling.

"And our operating costs and Irish aircraft financing deals see tens of millions more every year coming into the Irish economy from Etihad."

Cabin crew recruitment open days are to be held in Dublin, Cork and Belfast in November and December in a bid to hire at least 100 employees.

Etihad launched its Dublin to Abu Dhabi flights in 2007 and today operates 10 flights a week into the UAE’s capital city, offering onward connections to another 70 destinations around the world.

Etihad has flown more than 640,000 guests on the route and carried more than 9000 tonnes of cargo.

Hogan added: “I’ve been a passionate supporter of bringing flights to Dublin and I’ve been delighted by the response we have had for the last four years.

“Over the coming months and years, you will see that support repaid with continuing investment in the route and in our relationships here in the Irish market.”