Photo Credit: WAM
Dubai, UAE — January 2026 — The “Promising Future” Career Fair in Civil Aviation opened on Wednesday at Dubai’s Etihad Museum with an unprecedented registration of over 13,000 students and job seekers.
Organised by the General Civil Aviation Authority, the two-day event brings together 27 government entities, airlines, manufacturers, and academic institutions, as reported by the Emirates News Agency.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA, highlighted the significant turnout as a reflection of strong youth interest in the UAE’s aviation sector, which contributes around 18 percent to GDP.
He emphasised the sector’s role as an economic driver and innovation hub, noting that technological advances like AI and sustainable aviation are driving transformation. The fair, he stated, is a vital step to align future talent with the sector’s evolving needs.
“We also highly appreciate the positive response, engagement, and active participation of our partners in the aviation sector, which played a key role in the success of this initiative and in reinforcing the concept of integrated collaboration among the sector’s various entities,” he added.
A key announcement on the first day was the launch of the new AeroPioneers Research Award, designed to recognise outstanding student research in aviation safety, security, and future systems. The award aims to support practical studies that aid regulatory development and evidence-based decision-making.
The event features 20 career talk sessions by industry leaders, including Abu Dhabi Airports, Etihad Airways, and Airbus, discussing opportunities and required skills. The fair is supported by platinum sponsors Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Aviation Group, gold sponsor SANAD, and silver sponsor Airbus.
Major participants include the UAE Space Agency, Dubai Airports, flydubai, Air Arabia, and several aviation academies. The fair serves as a unified platform to connect national talent with industry leaders and strengthen collaboration across the UAE’s civil aviation sector.
