Riyadh Air Unveils Employment First Overseas Scholarship Program For Aviation Talent

Riyadh Air has launched an ‘Employment-First’ Overseas Scholarship Program that combines guaranteed jobs with study abroad. The initiative prepares Saudi students for specialist roles in aviation, while aligning with national plans to deepen local expertise and expand employment opportunities across the Kingdom’s aviation sector.

The program begins with two engineering study tracks in Australia and a Commercial Aviation training path in the United States. Scholarship students will pursue aircraft maintenance engineering degrees and pilot training, then return to support Riyadh Air’s growth and the broader aviation ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.

A key feature of the Riyadh Air scholarship program is that participants receive employment contracts before travelling. Their service period is registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance from day one, so their study years also count as professional experience, supporting faster career progression within the aviation labour market.

The initiative sits under ‘Promising Path’, which is one of the tracks within the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program. It is implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation, reflecting coordinated support for specialised aviation education.

During the initial phase, Riyadh Air will send scholarship students to Australia to study for Bachelor’s degrees in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering. The academic focus covers both Mechanical Engineering and Avionics, so graduates can work on aircraft structures, systems and on-board electronics, meeting modern fleet requirements.

Next month, Riyadh Air plans to start a Commercial Aviation training program in the United States. This track is designed for future pilots and supports the airline’s expected operational needs. It also helps expand the pool of Saudi commercial pilots, in line with wider efforts to localise aviation professions.

Riyadh Air describes the ‘Employment-First’ Overseas Scholarship Program as part of broader efforts to strengthen national talent. The company views the scheme as a long-term investment, giving Saudi youth skills, technical knowledge and international exposure that can support the future of the Kingdom’s aviation industry over many years.

Vice President of Talent Acquisition and Business Partners at Riyadh Air Nahar Aljahani stated: "The 'Employment-First' Scholarship Program is a part of our commitment to developing national human capital and enabling Saudi youth - both men and women - to access world-class education. Its impact will reflect positively on the development of the aviation sector in the Kingdom, contributing to the company's goal of creating over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs."

With this program, Riyadh Air continues to participate in building career paths for Saudi citizens and improving the competitiveness of Saudi graduates in global aviation. The combined focus on employment, specialised study and collaboration with government bodies positions the scheme as a structured channel for preparing future aviation professionals.

With inputs from SPA