Airline Emirates is due to create 8,500 new jobs in the coming two years, reports Emirates247.com.

Adel Al Redha, executive vice-president of the Emirates Group, says: “The company needs more than 8,500 employees, technicians, pilots and stewards to operate 50 new aircraft to be delivered in the next two years.”

The website adds that the airline intends to up the number of UAE nationals employed, in what it calls an ‘emiratisation’ plan, especially among engineering and pilot roles.

The website reports that Emirati pilots, engineers and technicians currently make up around 12% of the airline’s workforce, with the firm wanting to double this to nearly 25%.