Emirates airline flies to more than 100 destinations in over 60 countries and has been fundamental in establishing Dubai as the Middle East’s commercial centre and aviation hub.
It operates nearly 700 flights per week across six continents from its base at Dubai International airport, which has the capacity to handle 70 million passengers per year.
Emirates was launched in 1985 with two leased aircraft from a rudimentary airport. Its phenomenal growth is reflected in the 130-plus aircraft in its rapidly expanding fleet – a mix of the latest wide-body Airbus and Boeing aircraft - as well as Dubai’s new state-of-the-art Emirates Terminal 3, the world’s largest terminal which is used solely for the airline's flights.
Its fleet is one of the youngest in the skies, with an average age of less than 70 months, and this figure will fall further each month as it takes delivery of the 158 aircraft it has on order, worth $52 billion at list price. Emirates is the Airbus A380 super jumbo’s largest airline customer, with several in the air and more than 50 still to be delivered.
Currently, 130 airlines fly into Dubai and more than half the 37 million passengers who travelled through the city in 2008 were carried by Emirates, which has a 10,000-strong cabin crew of more than 120 nationalities who speak 55 different languages between them.
In addition, Emirates is a major player in the air freight industry, carrying 1.3 million tonnes of cargo in 2008, which amounted to almost 20 per cent of the airline’s $1.37 billion net profit that year.
Emirates is wholly-owned by the Government of Dubai, but the airline is run on a commercial basis and receives no financial support or protection. Competing against established giants of aviation allowed to operate under the government’s unconditional open skies policy in Dubai, Emirates has thrived and been profitable in all but its second year of trading.
Emirates is renowned for leading market trends and personal entertainment systems in all seats, as well as private first-class suites, were among its many notable firsts.
It was also the first airline to offer passengers a facility to use their mobile phones, bolstering its in-flight services which were already heralded for the popular ice entertainment and communications system.
Awards & Accolades
Annual Travel Star Awards, Montreux - Longhaul Airline of the Year - Nonstop
OAG Airline Industry Awards - Best Airline Based in the Middle East/Indian Sub-Continent
Business Traveller Middle East Awards - Best Airline