Air Arabia

Air Arabia is the Middle East and North Africa's first and largest low-cost carrier, headquartered in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates and operating an all-Airbus A320-family fleet from its main base at Sharjah International Airport. Alongside hubs in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, it operates through joint-venture carriers in Morocco and Egypt, serving a wide short- and medium-haul network across the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Europe. The airline is not a member of any global alliance and is recognised for consistently profitable low-cost operations.

Flying for Air Arabia

Air Arabia recruits experienced direct-entry A320 pilots and also runs a well-established cadet pathway through Alpha Aviation Academy, its partner flight school based at Sharjah International Airport. The self-funded programme, open to international applicants, is built around the Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) and takes cadets from ab-initio training through A320 simulator work and line flying, with graduates who meet the airline's standards continuing as First Officers with Air Arabia.

Selection into the cadet programme runs through several stages designed to filter for flight-deck potential, combining interviews, medical examinations, computer-based aptitude tests and assessments of spoken and written English. Competition for places is strong, so arriving well prepared matters — regular practice with pilot aptitude and cognitive assessments is one of the most reliable ways to sharpen the skills these selection stages measure.