Etihad Airways plans to allow its some of its pilots to join rival Emirates on a temporary basis for two years, a report said.

Emirates is currently facing a pilot shortage, said the Reuters report. Its management had said the shortage was a short-term issue.

According to an internal Etihad email seen by Reuters, Etihad said pilots who join Emirates on a two-year secondment would be placed on a leave of absence, retain seniority at Etihad, and receive their salary and full benefits from the Dubai airline.

It was not immediately clear how many pilots would be offered temporary employment at Emirates and the email stated that any pilots applying for the secondment would need to complete Emirates’ training programme, the report said.

Etihad currently employs 2,200 pilots, the report said citing an airline spokesman.