Emirates Becomes World’s Most Profitable Airline with Record $6.2 Billion Profit

Emirates Group has reported its strongest financial results in history, posting record highs across profit, revenue, EBITDA, and cash reserves for the 2024–25 fiscal year. According to its newly released Annual Report, the Group has now emerged as the most profitable aviation company globally, with Emirates airline claiming the top spot as the world’s most profitable airline.

Driven by surging global demand and continued investment in its premium offerings, both Emirates and dnata delivered record-breaking revenue figures. For the financial year ending 31 March 2025, the Group achieved a pre-tax profit of $6.2 billion — an 18% increase from the previous year — alongside all-time high revenue of $39.6 billion. Cash assets also climbed to $14.6 billion, marking a 13% rise year-on-year.

Emirates airline alone delivered a record pre-tax profit of $5.8 billion, up 20% from last year, and revenue reached $34.9 billion. The airline’s cash reserves rose to $13.5 billion, 16% higher than the previous year.

To cap off the year, the Group declared a $1.6 billion dividend to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai. This marks the first full fiscal year under the UAE’s new 9% corporate tax regime, which brought the Group’s profit after tax to $5.6 billion.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, said:

“It is no accident that Dubai has produced hugely successful global aviation entities including Emirates and dnata... We don’t cut corners, and we don’t take shortcuts that put our future at risk for short term gains. By building our business models around these principles and Dubai’s unique strengths, the Emirates Group has thrived and stayed resilient through geo-political and socio-economic challenges over the years.”

This year, Emirates Group invested $3.8 billion in new aircraft, infrastructure, and technology to support its ongoing expansion. The company’s workforce also grew by 9%, reaching 121,223 employees — its highest ever.

Looking ahead to 2025–26, Sheikh Ahmed expressed confidence in continued growth despite uncertainties in the global market. Emirates plans to take delivery of 16 Airbus A350s and 4 Boeing 777 freighters, bolstering its capacity to meet demand. Its aircraft retrofit programme will also continue, enhancing customer experience across its widebody fleet.

dnata is set to open new facilities in Amsterdam, Dubai, and Erbil, expanding its cargo handling capabilities. Meanwhile, development work is advancing at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) and the broader Dubai South aviation hub.

“We’ve set high targets for ourselves,” Sheikh Ahmed said, “but I am confident that our talented workforce and Dubai’s winning formula will empower the Emirates Group to forge an even brighter future.”

In 2024–25, Emirates increased its total passenger and cargo capacity by 4%, reaching 60.0 billion ATKMs, near pre-pandemic levels. The airline added Bogotá and Madagascar to its network, resumed operations to Phnom Penh, Lagos, Adelaide, and Edinburgh, and expanded service to 21 destinations. By the end of the fiscal year, Emirates served 148 cities across 80 countries and territories, with 33 codeshare and 118 interline partnerships in place.