Etihad Airways has reportedly terminated 15 Pakistani employees working in its Abu Dhabi operations, with instructions for them to leave the United Arab Emirates within 48 hours, according to multiple reports.
The dismissals are said to have affected staff based at operational and hangar facilities at Zayed International Airport, including long-serving employees with years—some nearly two decades—of service. Several of those impacted were reportedly experienced personnel who had spent significant portions of their careers with the airline.
Reports suggest the process did not follow standard human resources procedures. Instead, employees were allegedly directed to immigration authorities, where they were issued formal exit orders requiring them to depart the country within two days. The sudden move has left affected workers with limited time to arrange travel, settle personal matters, or support their families.
The handling of the situation has drawn criticism over concerns of transparency and due process, particularly given the involvement of long-term staff. Etihad Airways has not issued a detailed public explanation regarding the terminations or clarified what assistance, if any, is being provided to those affected.
The incident comes as the UAE aviation sector stabilizes following recent regional disruptions, but it has also renewed attention on employment practices and the challenges faced by expatriate workers in the Gulf region.