Anúncios
Want an airline or airport job in the UAE but do not have a college degree? Good news: a large share of the work around Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi and Air Arabia in Sharjah needs only school education, good health and basic English. Below we list exactly 8 such roles, who actually hires for each one, what pay is commonly reported and what you need to apply.
One thing to understand first: many of these jobs are not on the airline’s own payroll. At Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, ground handling, cargo and airport security were run by Etihad Airport Services, which rebranded as Velora in late 2025 (Gulf News). At Sharjah International Airport, ground services are reportedly handled by Sharjah Aviation Services. Cleaning and some loading work is often given to manpower contractors.
Anúncios
This is an independent career guide. We do not represent Etihad, Air Arabia, Velora or any agency.
Etihad & Air Arabia Jobs 2026 – Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | UAE – Abu Dhabi and Sharjah |
| Airlines | Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), Air Arabia (Sharjah) |
| Partner employers | Velora (ex-Etihad Airport Services), Sharjah Aviation Services (reported), catering units, manpower contractors |
| Number of roles covered | 8 non-degree roles |
| Indicative pay range | About AED 1,500 (cleaner) to AED 10,000 (cabin crew) |
| Minimum education | Class 10 or Class 12, depending on role |
| Licence needed | UAE driving licence for driver roles; airside permit issued after joining |
| Emiratisation | Contact centre and some office roles favour UAE nationals |
| Visa | Sponsored by employer; costs on employer by law |
| Where to look | careers.etihad.com, Air Arabia careers page, job boards, licensed agents |
The 8 Roles You Can Apply for Without a Degree
1. Cabin Crew (Etihad and Air Arabia)
Who hires: the airlines directly. Pay: Etihad crew pay is commonly reported around AED 8,500–10,000 with flying pay, plus company housing or allowance; Air Arabia, a low-cost carrier, is usually reported lower, around AED 6,500–8,000. Needs: age 21+, Class 12, fluent English, minimum height and arm reach (check the current listing), good swimming and medical fitness. Assessment days are held in several countries, sometimes in India.
2. Ground Service Agent (check-in, gate, transfer desk)
Who hires: Velora in Abu Dhabi; the airport ground handler in Sharjah; Etihad has also posted roles such as Guest Services Agent on its careers site. Pay: about AED 3,500–5,500. Needs: Class 12, confident English, computer basics, shift work. Some front-desk roles may prefer Arabic speakers or UAE nationals.
3. Ramp Agent / Baggage Handler
Who hires: ground handling companies and their contractors. Pay: about AED 1,800–2,800, often with free shared accommodation and transport. Needs: Class 10, physical fitness, ability to lift heavy bags in heat; a UAE licence helps if you want to drive belt loaders or tugs later.
4. Cargo Loader / Warehouse Assistant
Who hires: Etihad Cargo and Velora’s cargo arm in Abu Dhabi; Air Arabia cargo partners and freight forwarders around Sharjah. Pay: about AED 1,600–2,400. Needs: fitness, basic English or Hindi/Urdu for team work, safety shoes. Forklift certificates can raise pay.
5. Aircraft Cleaner
Who hires: mostly cleaning and manpower contractors working for the ground handler. Pay: about AED 1,400–2,000 with food or food allowance, accommodation and transport in many contracts. Needs: no formal education requirement in many ads, quick work during tight turnaround times, night shifts.
6. Catering Helper / Kitchen Assistant
Who hires: in-flight catering units serving each airport (names and ownership change, so check current listings). Pay: about AED 1,500–2,200. Needs: food-handling hygiene, standing for long hours; a food safety certificate is often required after joining.
7. Driver (staff bus, crew van, light vehicle)
Who hires: ground handlers, airline transport divisions and transport contractors. Pay: about AED 2,500–3,500 for light and bus drivers, more for heavy vehicles. Needs: a valid UAE driving licence (Indian licences cannot be used directly for commercial driving), clean record, airside permit after joining.
8. Contact Centre / Reservation Agent
Who hires: the airlines and outsourced call centre firms. Pay: about AED 4,000–6,000. Needs: Class 12, very good English, Arabic often required. Important: because of Emiratisation targets, many of these desk roles in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah go mainly to UAE nationals. Expats have better chances in operational roles 2 to 7.
Abu Dhabi vs Sharjah: Where Do These Roles Sit?
| Point | Abu Dhabi (Etihad side) | Sharjah (Air Arabia side) |
|---|---|---|
| Airline type | Full-service, long-haul network | Low-cost, short and medium haul |
| Main ground handler | Velora (formerly Etihad Airport Services) | Sharjah Aviation Services (reported) |
| Cargo work | Large cargo hub with freighters | Smaller belly cargo plus freight zones nearby |
| Living cost | Higher rents in Abu Dhabi city | Cheaper rents; many workers commute from Sharjah or Ajman |
| Typical expat entry roles | Ramp, cargo, cleaner, driver | Ramp, cargo, cleaner, driver |
Indicative Salary Table – Etihad & Air Arabia Non-Degree Roles
| Role | Indicative Monthly Salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Etihad) | 8,500 – 10,000 |
| Low-Cost Crew (Air Arabia) | 6,500 – 8,000 |
| Check-in Agent | 3,500 – 5,500 |
| Contact Centre Agent | 4,000 – 6,000 |
| Baggage Handler | 1,800 – 2,800 |
| Cargo Loader | 1,600 – 2,400 |
| Bus Driver | 2,500 – 3,500 |
| Aircraft Cleaner | 1,400 – 2,000 |
| Catering Helper | 1,500 – 2,200 |
Figures are indicative, drawn from news reports and job-board ads, and can differ by employer, contract and shift. Free accommodation, transport, overtime and food allowance can make a big difference to what you save each month.
Who Qualifies
- Age usually 21–40 for most ground roles; 21+ for cabin crew.
- Class 10 for loading and cleaning roles; Class 12 for agent and crew roles.
- Basic to fluent English depending on how much you deal with passengers.
- Medical fitness, including the GCC medical through the Wafid/GAMCA process where required.
- Clean police record – airside work needs security clearance.
- Valid UAE driving licence for driver posts.
- Indian ECR passport holders must get emigration clearance via eMigrate.
How to Apply
- Pick 2–3 roles from the list that match your education and fitness.
- For Etihad and Velora roles, check careers.etihad.com and the Velora website; for Air Arabia, use the careers section of airarabia.com.
- Search job boards like Naukrigulf, Bayt, GulfTalent, LinkedIn and Indeed with terms like “ramp agent Abu Dhabi” or “aircraft cleaner Sharjah”.
- For contractor jobs, use only recruiting agents with a valid licence shown on emigrate.gov.in.
- Keep your passport, certificates (attested if asked), photos and experience letters ready.
- After the offer, complete medical, visa and eMigrate steps, and consider Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana cover.
Watch Out for Airport Job Scams
Airport jobs are popular, so scammers use airline names and fake airport ID cards to collect money.
- Under UAE law, the employer pays for visa and recruitment costs – you should not pay for a job.
- “Free visa” offers where you buy a visa and then search for airport work yourself are illegal.
- Real offer letters come from company email domains, not free email services.
- Indian agents may charge only the legally capped service fee, with a proper receipt.
- If in doubt, check with the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the PBSK help centre in Dubai.
Etihad & Air Arabia Jobs 2026 – FAQs
Can I get an Etihad job without a degree?
Yes. Cabin crew, ramp, cargo, cleaning, catering and driver roles generally need Class 10 or Class 12, not a degree.
Is Velora the same as Etihad?
Velora is the new name of Etihad Airport Services, the Abu Dhabi ground handling, cargo and security company, reportedly part of the ADQ group. It is linked to the airport but is a separate employer.
Which pays more, Air Arabia or Etihad cabin crew?
Etihad is usually reported higher, as a full-service long-haul airline. Air Arabia is a low-cost carrier with mostly shorter flights.
Are call centre jobs open to Indians?
Some are, but many are targeted at UAE nationals under Emiratisation. Indians usually have better chances in operational roles.
Do these jobs give free accommodation?
Many contractor roles like cleaner, loader and ramp agent include shared housing and transport. Check your offer letter.
Can I use my Indian driving licence?
Not for a commercial driving job. You will need a UAE licence; the employer may help with the process.
Is there an age limit for aircraft cleaner jobs?
Contractors often prefer 21–40, but limits vary. There is no single official age rule.
How do I know if an offer from Sharjah airport is real?
Check the company’s official website, confirm the email domain, and never pay for a visa. Contact the employer directly using numbers from its official site.
Final Words
You do not need a degree to build a career around Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports. Start with a role that fits your fitness and English level, gain airside experience and certificates, and move up to supervisor or agent roles later. Apply through official pages and licensed agents only.
Disclaimer: This article gives indicative information only. This is an independent website and is not affiliated with Etihad Airways, Air Arabia, Velora, Sharjah Aviation Services, any recruiting agency or any government body. No job, visa or salary is promised. Verify all details on official channels and never pay illegal recruitment fees.
Tags
Flight Attendant Salary AED 9000
Low-Cost Crew Salary AED 7000
Check-in Agent Salary AED 4500
Baggage Handler Salary AED 2200
Cargo Loader Salary AED 2000
Bus Driver Salary AED 3200