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Contrary to the job cuts initiated by Indian air carriers, Dubai-based international airline Emirates said on Monday it would hire more staff and would be happy to recruit more Indians as cabin crew in its international operations.

"There would be no job cuts.

In fact we are looking for more staff. We will be happy to recruit more Indians as cabin crew," Emirates Airline Vice-President (India and Nepal) Orhan Abbas told reporters.

The carrier has 10,000 cabin crew in its global operations out of which 8-10 per cent are Indians.

"Indians are very educated, intelligent and hardworking. We are looking forward to taking more Indians in our expansion plans," he said.

Abbas, however, refused to comment on Indian air carriers' initiative to reduce their headcount due to ever increasing expenses especially in aviation fuel.

"The global financial crisis has affected everyone, Emirates, too. But we are taking measures to face it," he said without elaborating further. 

Admitting the fact that high fuel price was affecting the aviation industry globally, Abbas said, Emirates, despite being promoted by an oil rich country, was not getting any fuel subsidy from its government. 

To add 31 more weekly flights: Emirates also announced that it would add 31 weekly services to India to take the number of weekly flights to 163 by February 2009.

"We are going to add 31 more weekly flights to the existing 132 by February next year. The enhanced capacity will position Emirates as the single largest international carrier in the Indian skies," Abbas told reporters in New Delhi.

The carrier will introduce seven additional flights with effect from October 26 between Delhi and Dubai, increasing the total weekly frequency in this route from 18 to 25 flights.

The Emirates will add seven additional flights per week to its current 28 flights per week from Mumbai.

"The strengthening of our operations in India clearly shows the country's importance to Emirates' global operations.

Our flights will offer businessmen, leisure travellers and students the convenience and flexibility in their travel plans," Abbas said.

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