World's Most Financially Successful Airline: Emirates
In a year marked by resilience and innovation, Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, has achieved unprecedented success, breaking records and setting new benchmarks in the aviation industry.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates, attributes the airline's success to a strategic focus on offering great products and services, investing in technology and talent, and prioritizing the care of employees and customers. This forward-thinking approach has enabled Emirates to navigate geopolitical and socio-economic challenges with ease, remaining a beacon of stability in turbulent times.
One of the key highlights of Emirates' success story is their expansion. As of March 31, the airline flies to 148 cities in 80 countries, a testament to their global reach. In the last fiscal year, they launched new routes to countries such as the UK (London), USA (New York), China, Australia, and Vietnam, among others. They also resumed flights to Phnom Penh, Lagos, Adelaide, and Edinburgh, further strengthening their network.
Emirates' fleet has also seen significant growth. By the end of March, their total fleet stood at 275 aircraft, including the addition of their first A350 in the reporting year. In the 2025/26 fiscal year, Emirates expects to receive 16 A350s and four Boeing 777 freighters, continuing their fleet expansion.
The airline's commitment to customer experience is evident in their ongoing retrofit program. A total of 219 aircraft will receive a new cabin, with an investment of $5 billion, ensuring that customers continue to enjoy the latest Emirates products and a more uniform experience across their A380, 777, and A350 fleet.
Emirates' dedication to their customers extends beyond their aircraft. They have also introduced the chauffeur service in Riyadh, expanding it to more than 70 cities, and renovated existing exclusive waiting areas in Bangkok and Paris, enhancing the overall travel experience for their passengers.
The hard work and strategic decisions made by Emirates have paid off. In the last fiscal year, they carried around 53.7 million passengers, a slight decrease in seat load factor compared to the previous year. However, they managed to increase their total passenger and cargo capacity by four percent, almost reaching pre-pandemic levels. This resilience was rewarded with a record turnover of approximately $34.9 billion and a pre-tax profit of $5.8 billion, making Emirates the most profitable airline worldwide.
Emirates has also expanded their partnerships, increasing capacity to 21 destinations and forming 31 codeshare and 118 interline partners. This collaborative approach has strengthened their position in the industry, enabling them to offer more routes and services to their customers.
In a year filled with challenges, Emirates has shown that resilience, innovation, and a customer-centric approach can lead to unprecedented success. As they continue to grow and evolve, Emirates remains committed to their mission of connecting people and enriching lives.
