The Emirates Group has posted record financial results for the 2025–26 fiscal year, with Emirates retaining its position as the world’s most profitable airline despite significant disruption to regional air traffic towards the end of the reporting period.
The Group announced a record pre-tax profit of AED24.4 billion (US$6.6 billion), representing a 7 per cent increase year-on-year. Revenue also climbed to a record AED150.5 billion (US$41 billion), while cash assets reached AED59.6 billion (US$16.2 billion).
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, said the results highlighted the resilience of the business amid global challenges.
“These outstanding results, despite significant challenges in the last month of our financial year, reaffirm the strength and resilience of the Emirates Group’s business model, which is rooted in safety, excellence, innovation, people and partnerships.
“For the first 11 months of 2025-26, the picture across the Group was very positive. Strong demand for our products and services was driving revenue, and we were achieving healthy margins thanks to our sustained investments in product, people, technology and brand. Month after month, we were surpassing our targets.
“On 28 February, military activity massively disrupted global commercial air traffic in the Gulf region, including in the UAE. Emirates and dnata quickly mobilised to support our people and affected customers, protect our assets, and ensure business continuity.”
He added: “The Emirates Group has navigated crises and disruptions before. Each time, we placed our focus on our customers and our people, and each time, we have bounced back stronger.
“Our people are a big part of our success, enabling us to respond with agility in a dynamic operating environment. I’d like to thank all our employees – they have truly exemplified the qualities that set the Emirates Group apart during testing times.”
During the financial year, the Group invested AED17.9 billion (US$4.9 billion) in new aircraft, facilities, equipment and technology to support expansion plans.
Its global workforce grew by 8 per cent to 130,919 employees as Emirates and dnata expanded recruitment efforts worldwide. The Group’s UAE national workforce also surpassed 4,000 employees, reflecting the company’s drive to attract and retain local talent.
Addressing market stability and future growth, Sheikh Ahmed said: “From a fuel perspective, Emirates is well-hedged until 2028-29; and we have worked with our suppliers to secure the volumes required to support our current operations and our scaling up to pre-disruption levels. At dnata and across the Group, our business streams, scale, portfolio mix, and years of investments give us the resilience and agility to address any near-term challenges.
“Our fundamentals are strong. The Emirates Group’s proven business model is unchanged. Dubai’s place at the nexus of global commerce, trade and travel flows is unchanged. Our ambition to be the best in the world, and to be of service to the world, is unchanged.”
Emirates’ global network expanded to 152 cities across 80 countries during the year. The airline also strengthened its connectivity through 32 codeshare agreements and 117 interline partnerships, providing customers access to more than 1,700 destinations beyond its direct network.
At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, Emirates announced additional fleet investments worth US$41.4 billion at list prices, including orders for 65 Boeing 777-9 aircraft and eight Airbus A350-900s. As of 31 March, Emirates’ order book stood at 367 aircraft scheduled for delivery through to 2038.
The airline carried 53.2 million passengers during the year, down 1 per cent compared with the previous year, while seat capacity also declined by 1 per cent. Passenger seat factor stood at 78.4 per cent, slightly lower than the 78.9 per cent recorded previously. Passenger yield rose by 4 per cent to 38.1 fils (10.4 US cents) per Revenue Passenger Kilometre.
Emirates also expanded its accessibility initiatives, launching a new Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub to support travellers with varying accessibility needs. The airline introduced sensory products and fidget toys onboard for children and adults, while also organising travel rehearsal programmes at airports worldwide to assist children with autism and their families.
Emirates SkyCargo recorded growth during the year, transporting 2.4 million tonnes of cargo globally, an increase of 3 per cent year-on-year.
Meanwhile, dnata reported a 12 per cent increase in revenue to AED23.6 billion (US$6.4 billion), driven by rising global flight and travel activity, particularly across Australia, Europe, the UAE, the UK and the US.
The Emirates Airline Foundation also continued its humanitarian work, supporting 13 projects globally focused on education, shelter, food and healthcare for disadvantaged children, while providing more than 500 flight tickets for medical missions.
No comments:
Post a Comment