Etihad Airways Reportedly Terminates 15 Pakistani Staff, Issues 48-Hour Exit Order in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways (EY) has terminated approximately 15 Pakistani employees and instructed them to leave the United Arab Emirates within 48 hours, Money Control reported. The incident is said to involve staff based in Abu Dhabi and has drawn attention due to its abrupt nature and alleged procedural irregularities.

The development has sparked scrutiny across aviation and diplomatic reporting circles, with some publications framing it as part of broader sensitivities in UAE–Pakistan relations. However, as of now, no comprehensive public statement from Etihad or UAE authorities has formally clarified the circumstances behind the reported dismissals.

Reported Termination of Pakistani Staff at Etihad Airways

The affected employees were allegedly summoned through immigration channels in Abu Dhabi before being issued termination notices. The reports state that the process deviated from conventional corporate human resource procedures typically associated with airline workforce restructuring.

News9 further reports that several of the employees had long service histories, in some cases almost two decades. The reports also claim that the individuals were instructed to exit the country within a 48-hour timeframe, although this detail remains unverified through official airline communication.

LiveIndia similarly reports that the dismissals were abrupt, though it also acknowledges that the information is primarily based on secondary and early-stage reporting rather than confirmed institutional statements:

“The UAE is home to over 1.7 million Pakistanis, whose remittances are a vital lifeline for the Pakistani economy. The summary termination of veteran workers at a state-owned entity like Etihad Airways is being viewed as a significant signal to Islamabad. As of now, neither the UAE Ministry of Human Resources nor the Pakistani Embassy in Abu Dhabi has issued a formal statement, but the incident has sparked widespread anxiety among the Pakistani workforce in the Gulf regarding job security and visa stability in the current political climate.”

Alleged 48-hour exit order and immigration involvement

A recurring detail across multiple reports is the alleged involvement of immigration authorities during the termination process. Employees were reportedly directed to immigration offices where the termination notices were issued.

The reported 48-hour exit requirement has been highlighted as the most controversial aspect of the case. However, none of the cited sources provide an official confirmation from either Etihad Airways or UAE government entities validating the procedural specifics.

Moneycontrol notes that the situation has been interpreted by some observers as indicative of stricter administrative posture, though it stops short of confirming any policy shift.

Aviation Workforce and Diplomatic Interpretation

Some regional commentary, including Pakistan Observer, frames the reported dismissals within the broader context of UAE–Pakistan relations. The publication suggests that the incident has triggered debate over whether it reflects diplomatic sensitivity or internal restructuring, and quoted Pakistani policy expert Ali K. Chishti who:

“..rejected idea that nationality played any role in the reported terminations. He stated that the layoffs are likely connected to standard workforce restructuring driven by pressures in the aviation and tourism sectors, rather than targeted discrimination.”

However, the same reporting also acknowledges that definitive evidence linking the terminations to geopolitical considerations remains unavailable. This distinction is important, as aviation workforce adjustments in Gulf carriers often occur under confidential restructuring frameworks rather than publicised policy announcements.

How Does This Stack Up Against Etihad’s Workforce and Operational Developments

Last year, Etihad Airways unveiled its UAE National Talent Development Strategy, which it dubbed to be “a groundbreaking long-term program aimed at developing Emirati professionals, cultivating expertise, and positioning the airline as the employer of choice for UAE Nationals“.

The carrier even stated that its new ploy would “significantly increase the hiring of UAE Nationals across all divisions while creating opportunities for development in both aviation and corporate functions“.

Some of the programs that the carrier launched to “attract, develop, and retain” the UAE’s brightest minds include the following:

Programme	Overview
Cadet Pilot Programme	A structured two-year aviation training programme conducted in Abu Dhabi and Spain, combining advanced theoretical study with extensive practical flight training to prepare future commercial pilots.
Cadet Technician Programme	A five-year integrated development pathway that blends academic education with hands-on technical training, equipping participants to qualify as licensed aircraft maintenance technicians.
Airport Management Programme	A specialised programme offering comprehensive exposure to airport and ground operations, including international placements designed to build a global understanding of airport management systems.
Bedayati Programme	A structured entry-level development initiative for recent graduates, providing cross-functional exposure across multiple business units to establish a strong foundation for long-term career growth.
MBA Future Leader Programme	An intensive 13-month leadership development track for high-performing MBA graduates, featuring immersion across core airline departments, mentorship from senior executives, and structured career sponsorship opportunities.
Entry-Level Roles	Beyond formal graduate programmes, UAE nationals can access direct career opportunities across strategic domains such as finance, digital transformation, technology, and corporate functions.

As a result, the firing of the Pakistani nationals is being interpreted through multiple lenses—operational, diplomatic, and labour-market related—without a single confirmed narrative from the carrier itself. Some have even suggested that UAE wants to be a base for Israel and India.

Broader Implications for Gulf Aviation Labour Dynamics

The Gulf aviation sector has historically relied on a highly internationalised workforce, with expatriate employees forming a substantial portion of operational staff across airlines, airports, and maintenance organisations.

Incidents such as the one reported at Etihad highlight the structural sensitivity of expatriate employment systems in the region, where visa status, labour contracts, and residency permissions are closely interlinked. However, without official clarification, the broader implications of this specific case remain interpretative rather than confirmed.

All in All

The reported termination of 15 Pakistani employees at Etihad Airways remains an evolving story characterised by limited official confirmation and divergent media framing. Etihad has seen wonderful recovery post Covid, as is evidenced by the following numbers it posted for 2025:

Metric	Value	Change / Notes
Total revenue	AED 30.7 billion (US $8.4B)	+21%
Passenger revenue	AED 25.8 billion (US $7.0B)	+24%
Profit after tax	AED 2.6 billion (US $698M)	+47%
Cargo revenue	AED 4.5 billion (US $1.2B)	+8%
Passenger numbers	22.4 million	+21%
Passenger load factor	88%	—
Operating fleet	127	+29 aircraft
Available seat kilometres (ASK)	—	+21%
Network destinations	110	—
Customer satisfaction	—	+10%
Pilots hired	400	—
Cabin crew hired	1,600	—
Total new hires	3,200	—
Total employees promoted	2,200	—
Awards	– Five Star Global Airline (APEX) – World’s Leading Airline Customer Experience (World Travel Awards) – Top Global Airline Ranking (Airline Score) – Seven-Star Plus Safety Rating (Airline Ratings) – World’s Safest Full-Service Airline (Airline Ratings)	—

So, the firing of Pakistani nationals isn’t driven by the lack of profits. The carrier had also introduced six African destinations from Abu Dhabi recently. We must also be careful about commenting on the matter before the carrier has meted out justification and institutional verification.