The Emirates Group has announced a record-breaking half-year financial performance for 2025–26, posting a pre-tax profit of US$3.3 billion for the first six months - its fourth consecutive year of record half-year profitability.
After tax, the Group reported a profit of AED 10.6 billion (US$2.9 billion), representing a 13% increase on the previous year. Revenue rose by 4% to AED 75.4 billion (US$20.6 billion), up from AED 70.8 billion (US$19.3 billion) a year earlier.
As of 30 September 2025, Emirates closed the first half of the year with a record cash balance of AED 56.0 billion (US$15.2 billion), compared to AED 53.4 billion (US$14.6 billion) at the end of March. The Group’s strong liquidity has enabled it to fund new aircraft deliveries, meet debt obligations, and pay the remaining AED 2 billion (US$545 million) dividend from the AED 6 billion (US$1.6 billion) declared for the 2024–25 financial year.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said “The Group has once again delivered an outstanding performance, surpassing our half-year results of last year to achieve a new record profit for H1 2025–26. I’m delighted to note that Emirates maintains its position as the world’s most profitable airline for this half-year reporting period.
“This performance was primarily driven by the unflagging demand and growing customer preference for our product and services, which drove revenue growth and profitability.”
Sheikh Ahmed added that Emirates and dnata continue to invest heavily in innovation, technology, and customer experience: “Emirates and dnata have invested billions to continually enhance our products and services, to bring new products to market, to improve our operations through innovation and technology, and to look after our employees who ensure our customers’ safety and satisfaction. These are core to our DNA.
“The Group’s strong profitability enables us to continue making these investments, and to scale up our proven business models in concert with Dubai’s growth as a global city of choice for talent, for businesses, and for tourists.”
He further noted that global demand for air transport and travel has remained resilient despite geopolitical tensions and economic challenges: “Global demand for air transport and travel services has been buoyant, despite geo-political events and economic concerns in some markets. We expect this demand resilience to continue for the rest of 2025–26 and look forward to increasing our capacity to grow revenues as new A350 aircraft join the Emirates fleet, and new facilities come online at dnata.”
To support its growing operations, the Emirates Group expanded its workforce by 3% to 124,927 employees as of 30 September 2025, with ongoing recruitment drives at both Emirates and dnata.
Emirates strengthened its global network during the first half of the year, launching flights to Danang, Siem Reap, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, bringing its passenger and cargo network to 153 airports across 81 countries. Between April and September, the airline took delivery of five new A350 aircraft and completed interior refurbishments on 23 aircraft under its US$5 billion retrofit programme. Emirates Premium Economy is now available on routes to 61 cities.
The airline also opened “Emirates First”, a dedicated luxury check-in area at Dubai Airport for First Class passengers and Platinum Skywards members, and unveiled new concept travel stores in major cities including Accra, Bangkok, Geneva, Jakarta, Mauritius, Osaka, Seoul, and Singapore.
Emirates bolstered its global brand through a series of high-profile sponsorships, becoming Platinum Partner of FC Bayern Munich, Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid Basketball, and Premium Partner and Official Airline Partner of the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup. The airline also extended its ATP Tour partnership until 2030 and renewed its Olympique Lyonnais shirt sponsorship through the same year.
Capacity increased by 5% to 31.3 billion Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKM), while passenger traffic rose by 4% to 27.8 million passengers, maintaining a seat factor of 79.5%. Emirates SkyCargo carried 1.25 million tonnes of freight, up 4% year-on-year, supported by the delivery of three new Boeing 777 freighters and the launch of Emirates Courier Express, a door-to-door express shipping service for businesses.
Emirates’ airline division reported a pre-tax profit of AED 11.4 billion (US$3.1 billion), up from AED 9.7 billion (US$2.6 billion) last year, while after-tax profit rose 13% to AED 9.9 billion (US$2.7 billion). Operating costs, including fuel, grew by 4%, with fuel accounting for 30% of total expenses.
dnata also recorded robust growth across its ground handling, cargo, catering, and travel services during the period.
With another record-breaking half-year, Emirates has cemented its standing as the world’s most profitable airline—powered by sustained global demand, strategic investments, and Dubai’s growing status as an international aviation hub.
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