COME FLY WITH US
Emirates airline starts cabin crew recruitment drive in Cairns
EMIRATES has fuelled speculation it plans to start flights to Cairns with a recruiting seminar to be held next week in the city.
The airline has advertised for people keen to become cabin crew and “deliver exceptional customer service on every journey and make Dubai your new home” to attend an open day.
“Explore the world, embracing new cultures and sharing your language skills with our international customers,” the advertisement reads. “See the world as you work with one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines.”
From Dubai, Emirates flies to more than 150 destinations across six continents on jets including the A380 superjumbos.
Applicants are encouraged to apply online.
In 2017, Cairns Airport management and city leaders confirmed they had started negotiations with a Middle Eastern airline.
Cairns Airport is seeking new direct routes across Asia, the Middle East and North America with Etihad and Emirates in its sights.
“The airport is constantly in talks with airlines and would … welcome a Middle Eastern airline coming on-board,” a Cairns Airport spokeswoman told the Cairns Post.
Cairns MP Michael Healy said the key to securing greater capacity and more flights was to fill “the belly of the aircraft” rather than just focusing on passenger numbers.
He said tourism spots such as FNQ represented “high-risk destinations” for airlines and if a second revenue stream like agriculture could be fostered it could sure up more flights.
“Cathay Pacific has been flying here for 25 years because they’re filling the belly of the aircraft and that makes it viable to come here,” he said.
“We seriously need to build an additional stream of revenue for airlines so it’s not a high-risk destination.”
The airline is also recruiting in Canberra. Emirates has been approached for comment but would not confirm whether regional recruiting was standard practice. The Emirates recruitment open day will be held at the Holiday Inn Cairns Harbourside from 9am on Tuesday, March 12.