Launched on 25th October 1985, Emirates is the international airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in Dubai.
Initially flying with two leased aircraft – a Boeing 737 and an Airbus 300 B4 – Emirates has evolved into a globally influential travel and tourism conglomerate in just a few short years.
Wholly owned by the Government of Dubai, the airline has had to develop and expand in order to stay ahead of the competition, made all the more fierce by Dubai’s continuing open skies policy – a policy wholly supported by the airline.
Financially independent and thriving, Emirates is not subsidised in any way by its owners, other than initial assistance with start up costs. The airline has recorded a profit in every year except its second year of operation.
Growth has never fallen below 20 per cent a year. In its first 11 years, it doubled in size every 3.5 years and has every four years since.
The Emirates Group announced record-breaking net profits of Dhs 2.6 billion (US$ 708 million) for the financial year ended 31st March 2005, an impressive 49 per cent, over the previous year.
Now comprising an award-winning fleet of 88 aircraft (as on 10th January 2006), an international cargo division, a full-fledged destination management and leisure division, an international ground-handler and an airline IT developer, Emirates is characterised by two key features, continuous explosive growth and a constant focus on top quality service. Managing to maintain the latter whilst continuing the former is the secret of Emirates’ success.
At Dubai 2005 – 9th International Aerospace Exhibition, Emirates announced firm orders for 42 Boeing 777 aircraft, to be powered by GE90 jet engines, in a deal worth Dhs 35.7 billion (US$9.7 billion) at list prices. This is the largest-ever order for the Boeing 777 family of aircraft and consists of: 24 Boeing 777-300ERs, 10 777-200LR Worldliners and eight 777 Freighters, with the first aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2007. In addition, Emirates will have purchase rights for 20 more 777 aircraft.
At the Paris Air Show in June 2003, Emirates announced the largest aircraft order in aviation history worth US$19 billion, adding 71 new aircraft – a mix of Airbus and Boeing – to its fast-growing fleet. It is now the main launch customer for two innovative ultra-modern aircraft – A340-600 HGW and A380 double-decker super-jumbos.
At the Farnborough Air Show in July 2004, Emirates announced firm orders for four Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and nine options with a list price value of US$ 2.96 billion.
Emirates’ current order book stands at 127 aircraft, with a total value of approximately US$35 billion.
The airline’s extensive expansion plans include additions to the fleet, non-stop flights, new double daily services and destinations, and increase in the number of flights. In the first quarter of 2007, Emirate will receive the first of the 45 A380s on order.
Currently responsible for more than 50 per cent of all flight movements in and out of Dubai International Airport, Emirates’ aim is to increase this tally to 70 per cent by 2010, without compromising quality. The airline currently flies to 80 destinations in 56 countries around the world and the network is expanding constantly. Nearly 550 flights fly out of Dubai per week covering five continents.
In the financial year 2004/2005, Emirates carried 12.5 million passengers and 838,400 tonnes of cargo. Always at the forefront of aviation technology, Emirates flies the youngest and one of the most modern fleets in the world, with an average aircraft age of 55 months.
Emirates’ aim is to develop Dubai into a comprehensive aviation hub that will ultimately serve as an important global long haul hub.
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