Dubai’s Emirates has gone from a dream to an airline with revenues of more than $37bn a year, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Despite people betting against the grand transport vision, the airline now has connections with more than 275 cities and Dubai is the “world’s airport” connecting civilisations around the world, he added.
Sheikh Mohammed’s comments came as he met with senior officials of Emirates Airline and Group at the Union House in Dubai.
Sheikh Mohammed praises Dubai’s Emirates
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohammed commended the organisation’s achievements that have strengthened its position as a leading global airline and an outstanding model for excellence in the international aviation industry.
In a post on social media, he said: “Establishing an airline company in Dubai was a dream more than four decades ago. Some people bet against it, and many tried to distract us from it.
“Today, the dream includes 112,000 employees, connects us with 277 cities, transports more than 50m passengers annually, and generates revenues exceeding AED137bn ($37.3bn) annually.
“The dream has not stopped. We are still dreaming of expanding the business and opening a larger international airport and reaching every city on the five continents.
“Today, Dubai is the world’s airport, a meeting place for humanity and a link between the continents and civilizations of the world.
“The lesson: If you have determination and will, do not allow anyone to stand between you and your dreams, because what you can imagine, you can achieve.”
استقبلنا نخبة من القيادات من مجموعة طيران الإمارات ..
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) June 19, 2024
تأسيس شركة طيران في دبي كان حلماً قبل أكثر من 4 عقود .. راهن البعض ضده .. وحاول الكثيرون صرفنا عنه ..
اليوم أصبح الحلم يضم 112 ألف موظف .. ويربطنا مع 277 مدينة .. وينقل أكثر من 50 مليون مسافر سنوياً .. ويولد إيرادات تتجاوز… pic.twitter.com/iLQloyk4bt
Sheikh Mohammed commended the airline for its pivotal role in realising the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, leveraging its significant capabilities in the air transport industry to expand Dubai’s economic networks, thereby contributing to the goal of doubling the emirate’s foreign trade volume by 2033.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid was briefed by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed on Emirates’ future plans and key initiatives, which include expanding their aircraft fleet, upgrading existing aircraft, enhancing capabilities in hospitality, cargo, and ground handling, leveraging advanced technologies to support operations, expanding training and employee development programmes, and advancing sustainability initiatives within the Group.
He was then briefed by Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, on the Group’s recent achievements, which include setting new records in profits and revenues.
These accomplishments were driven by the global expansion of operations to meet strong customer demand for the airline’s high-quality products and services.
The Group’s 2023-24 results featured record-breaking performance, a testament to the forward-thinking vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the impactful policies of the Dubai Government, which facilitated these accomplishments.
Sheikh Mohammed highlighted the airline’s ability to set new benchmarks in quality within the global aviation and travel sectors.
He also underscored its efforts to enhance technical capabilities and improve workforce efficiency, thereby strengthening its competitiveness among the world’s leading airlines.
The meeting was held in the presence of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
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