Emirates Airlines
February 25, 2009 by Tom Martens
Filed under Flights
The world’s eighth largest airline, Emirates Airlines is based in Dubai, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Since the company was founded in 1985, it has grown to serve 92 destinations in 55 countries around the world. Although it does not offer domestic service, Emirates is nonetheless the leading air carrier of the Middle East and enjoys large market share in Southeast Asia. Emirates Airlines is one of only six carriers in the world to operate a fleet consisting entirely of wide-body aircraft built by Boeing and Airbus.
Emirates Airlines is unique among air carriers in that it has been consistently profitable. The company has only had one year it marked a loss. Moreover, sales growth has never fallen below 20 per cent a year. During its first eleven years, the company doubled in size every three and one-half years, and it has continued to double in size every four years since. Its efficient, lean workforce gives it all the advantages of a low-cost carrier. The airline is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization, founded in 1965 by the Arab League as a regional airline trade organization. Open to any carrier based in any member state in the Arab League, the Arab Air Carriers Organization seeks to promote safety, quality, and cooperation among the airlines of the Arab nations.
The government in Dubai is both owner and operator of Emirates Airlines, but it does not invest money into the airline or manage its airfares. The UAE allows Emirates Airlines to function independently. This unique arrangement has worked quite well for both the airline and the government, as Emirates enjoys unmatched profitability and growth.
Emirates maintains a subsidiary for cargo transport, Emirates Skycargo. Likewise based in Dubai, Emirates SkyCargo is organized like a passenger airline. It flies nine jets, and also utilizes excess cargo capacity in the passenger fleet.
Emirates was the second carrier to place the Airbus A380 into service, accepting delivery in July 2008. Emirates Airlines flies the A380 between Dubai and JFK (New York) and Heathrow (London), and also on its flights to Australia and New Zealand.
While Emirates sole hub is Dubai, it serves over 100 destinations in 56 countries. It maintains agreements with Singapore and Australia that allow it offer connections from their countries to even more destinations throughout the world.
Emirates passengers enjoy the perks of Skywards, allowing them to accumulate or spend frequent flier miles on Emirates or any of its Skywards partners, including Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Virgin Blue, South African Airways, Continental, Kingfisher, and United.
Emirates also maintains a stake in Dnata, the leading travel service provider in the Middle East. Dnata’ 6,500 employees provide technical, ramp, cargo, and passenger services at Dubai International Airport.
Emirates Airlines, Emirates SkyCargo and Dnata are all part of The Emirates Group, a public international organization holding company headquartered in Dubai. Emirates Airlines currently has about 35,000 employees.