Emirates has experienced one of its busiest ever European recruitment days.

International airline Emirates has experienced the busiest-ever recruitment day for cabin crew in Europe – around 400 applicants turned up to the airline’s recruitment drive in Madrid, 30 of whom made it through to the final interview stage.

In addition, Emirates receives around 10,000 applications every month for cabin crew positions.

According to the airline, its European recruitment day was not the busiest it has ever seen globally – in 2006, 1,200 people turned up for a recruitment session in Cairo, 1,000 in Fiji in 2008, and often more than 1,000 applicants attend its recruitment days in Thailand.

Kevin Griffiths, Senior Vice President, Cabin Crew, said of the Madrid recruitment day: “It was amazing. We have recruited in Spain before – Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Malaga – but this was a tremendous turnout, and to be honest, I was quite taken aback when hundreds arrived, all wanting to join the Emirates’ family.

“It is very clear that life in the sky and travelling the globe remains a powerful magnet for those wanting a true life experience, a job where no two days are the same, working on the frontline of a brand known for its service excellence.”

Emirates currently employs around 11,000 cabin crew, all of whom are based in Dubai. The airline looks for applicants who have good English communication skills, are adaptable, confident, positive and who are good team players.

Rick Helliwell, Vice President, Recruitment, said: “With the ongoing expansion of Emirates, our cabin crew recruitment team is conducting an average of 35 selection campaigns all around the globe every month, seeking people who have the confidence to explore the world and their own capabilities. They need to have a true desire to help others and a passionate approach to service delivery.”

Candidates successful at interview stage undergo seven weeks of intensive training in Dubai before being officially cleared to fly.

The next stop for the Emirates’ recruitment team will be in Barcelona on Saturday 27 March.