Leading airline records record profits

Martin Banks
Credit: Jimmy K from Pexels

The Emirates Group has released its 2024-5 annual report, showing record profits for the year.

What it calls an “outstanding performance” lifts the company as the most profitable aviation group globally in the 2024-25 reporting period.

Emirates says it reported the “best result in its history” and record revenues in 2024-25.

The financial year ended 31 March 2025 showed record profit before tax of US$ 6.2 billion, up 18% from last year, along with record revenue of US$ 39.6 billion, up 6% over last year’s results.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum,chairman and CEO, said:

“It is no accident that Dubai has produced hugely successful global aviation entities including Emirates and dnata.

“Dubai’s aviation sector has become an influential force on the global stage thanks to visionary leaders, strategic planning, co-ordinated execution, and strong support from our customers, business partners, and all the people of Dubai. 

“When the government set up Emirates 40 years ago and we began expanding dnata’s capabilities to support the city’s growth, we had a clear mission – be the best at what we do; and deliver value to Dubai, our stakeholders, and the communities we serve.

“With that in mind, we’ve kept a laser focus on providing great products and services, and we continually invest in technology and talent to increase our competitive edge.

“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.”

He added:

“For 2024-25, the Group has raised the bar to set new records for profit, revenue, and cash assets. Through the year, Emirates and dnata were able to move quickly to meet the strong demand for air transport services across markets and win over customers – thanks to our non-stop investments in our people, in building partnerships, and in delivering great products and services.”

In 2024-25, the Group collectively invested US$ 3.8 billion in new aircraft, facilities, equipment, companies, and the latest technologies to support its growth plans.

The Group’s total workforce grew by 9% to 121,223 employees, its largest size ever, as Emirates and dnata continued recruitment activity around the world.

Commenting on the outlook for 2025-26, Sheikh Ahmed said:

“We enter the year ahead with excitement and optimism. Our excellent financial standing enables us to continue building on and scaling up from our successful business models. While some markets are jittery about trade and travel restrictions, volatility is not new in our industry. We simply adapt and navigate around these challenges.”

Emirates says it will strengthen its network connectivity with the expected delivery of 16 A350s and 4 Boeing 777 freighters in 2025-26, providing capacity to meet customer demand. 

Its retrofit programme will continue to provide customers

“the latest Emirates products and a more consistent experience across our A380, 777 and A350 fleet,”

Said a spokesman.

 Sheikh Ahmed adds, 

“dnata is on a steady growth path with facility investments coming to fruition in key markets, including the opening of new facilities in Amsterdam, Dubai and Erbil next year which will significantly expand our cargo handling capacity and capabilities.  

 “We’ve set high targets for ourselves, but I am confident that our talented workforce and Dubai’s winning formula will empower the Emirates Group to forge an even brighter future, and deliver even more value to the people, cities and communities we serve.”  

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Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
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Martin Banks is an experienced British-born journalist who has been covering the EU beat (and much else besides) in Brussels since 2001. Previously, he had worked for many years in regional journalism in the UK and freelanced for national titles. He has a keen interest in foreign affairs and has closely followed the workings of the European Parliament and MEPs in particular for some years.
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