Emirates is an airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates that operates over 3,400 flights per week to over 150 cities in 74 countries. It is the largest airline in the Middle East and is one of the top international airlines in the world. Emirates operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft, including the Airbus A380, and has orders for over 500 additional aircraft. While not a member of any airline alliance, Emirates has codeshare agreements with over a dozen international carriers.
2. EMIRATES: BACKGROUND
Airline headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates and subsidiary
of The Emirates Group, entirely owned by the
government of Dubai’s Investment Corporation of Dubai.
Biggest airline in the Middle East; operates almost 3,400
flights every week from its operating base at Dubai
International Airport, to over 150 cities in 74 countries
across six continents.
Is ranked among the top 10 carriers worldwide in terms
of passenger kilometres; has, as of 2007, become the
biggest airline in the Middle East in terms of income, fleet
size, and passengers carried.
Was the fourth-biggest airline in the world in terms of
international passengers carried and scheduled
passenger-kilometres flown in 2012, during which it was
also the third-biggest airline in terms of scheduled freight
tonne-kilometres flown.
Also operates four of the world’s longest non-stop
commercial flights from Dubai to Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston.
3. EMIRATES: BACKGROUND (CONT.)
Gulf Air started cutting back its services to Dubai in the mid-1980s; consequently, Emirates was founded in March 1985 with
support from Dubai’s royal family, with Pakistan International Airlines supplying two of the airline’s first aircraft on wet-lease.
Was required to function independent of government subsidies, aside from $10 million in start-up capital.
Became led by Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, its present chairman.
Expanded both its fleet and its destinations in the years after its establishment.
Moved all operations at Dubai International Airport to Terminal 3 in October 2008, to maintain its rapid expansion and
enlargement plans.
Operates a diverse fleet of Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft; one of the few airlines to operate an all-wide-body aircraft
fleet, of which the centre is the Boeing 777.
Also has orders for 140 Airbus A380s, for which it became the second operator after Singapore Airlines.
Is an industry bellwether for aircraft acquirements; bought 130 aircraft in 2007 alone.
Has advanced a strong brand name as a leader in the aviation industry (especially in regards to service excellence) and its
very quick growth, together with reliable productivity.
Has won many awards; was ranked 8th by Air Transport World for “Airline of the Year” in 2012.
The award is given on gratitude of its pledge to safety and operational excellence, customer service trendsetters, and
economic condition, including a 25-year uninterrupted annual revenue.
Rated as a four-star airline by aviation consultancy group Skytrax.
Was voted “Airline of the Year” in 2013.
5. EMIRATES: HUBS & SUBSIDIARIES
Hubs:
Dubai International Airport
Subsidiaries:
Arabian Adventures
Congress Solutions International
Emirates Holidays
Emirates Tours
6. EMIRATES: ALLIANCE
Currently, Emirates is not a member of any of the three international airline alliances – Oneworld,
SkyTeam, and Star Alliance.
It did, however, in 2000, shortly think about joining Star Alliance, but chose to remain independent of the
three alliances; the reason for this decision was subsequently disclosed by senior vice-president of the
airline’s commercial operations worldwide, who said, “Your ability to react in the marketplace is hindered
because you need a consensus from your alliance partners.”
7. EMIRATES: CODESHARE AGREEMENTS
Emirates has codeshare agreements with these airlines since June 2013:
Air Malta
Air Mauritius
Japan Airlines
Jet Airways
JetBlue Airways
Korean Air
Oman Air
Philippine Airlines
Qantas
South African Airways
TAP Portugal
Thai Airways International
8. EMIRATES: EMIRATES SKYCARGO
Emirates SkyCargo is Emirates’ air freight division.
Started operations in October 1985, the same time
Emirates commenced operations, launching its own
aircraft services in 2001 with a Boeing 747 Freighter.
They serve 10 exclusive cargo destinations, aside from
others in common with Emirates network.
9. EMIRATES: EMIRATES EXECUTIVE
Launched in July 2013 for business and private
charters.
Operate an Airbus A319 Business Jet that provides
accommodation for 19 people.
Features a mix or private suites and seating, a
lounge, a dining area, and bathrooms with full
height showers.
10. EMIRATES: FLEET
Operates a principally wide-bodied fleet made up of
Airbus A330/A340, Airbus A380, and Boeing 777
passenger aircraft, plus Boeing 747-400 and Boeing
777F freighters operated by four Emirates SkyCargo.
The only narrow body aircraft is an Airbus A319CJ,
which operates for the recently launched Emirates
Executive contracts.
The fleet is made up of 195 passenger aircraft, 10 Cargo
freighters, and one executive jet from September 2013,
with an additional 384 aircraft on order.
In accordance with its policy of upholding a young fleet,
which was at an average of 6.4 years since September
2013, the airline often renews its fleets.