On the week commencing 9 December 2024, Surrey, UK-based global aviation recruitment specialist Zenon returned to the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) Show in Dubai, highlighting a growing demand for qualified personnel in the region.

Zenon's appearance followed a surge in start-up companies throughout the UAE and Saudi Arabia, resulting in a 24% rise in available roles since January.

“We have been actively recruiting in the Middle East since 2006, initially in business aviation, then widening out to support commercial airlines and aerospace companies,” says Zenon owner and CEO Andrew Middleton. “It has become a very employee-driven market, with demand for personnel outweighing supply. We look forward to helping address that balance. We have modified our own platforms and beefed up our digital marketing to react to a widened, cross sector aviation market, which complements our extensive international database.”

Trending sectors in the region include helicopter personnel for offshore projects and HEMS, advanced air mobility and aviation training. As demand for flight crew has increased, salaries and incentives have also become more competitive. "Middle East airlines are paying even more and improving benefits to keep good pilots and engineers, stopping them from moving to Asia, especially India, which is gearing up for significant pilot demand," says Middleton.

Having provided qualified aviation personnel to companies in the Middle East since 2006, Zenon's experience spans various roles, with 30% of its business now focused on senior executive recruitment in the EMEA region. The company's comprehensive value-add solutions also include salary surveys and international payroll services.