The Emirates Group
Encyclopedia
The Emirates Group is a public international travel and tourism conglomerate holding company headquartered in Garhoud, Dubai
, United Arab Emirates
, by Dubai International Airport
. The Emirates Group comprises Dnata
, an aviation services company providing ground handling services at 17 airports and Emirates Airline
, the largest airline in the Middle East. Emirates Airlines flies to over 100 destinations across 6 continents, operating a fleet of over 130 wide-bodied aircraft. The airline has 170 aircraft on order worth US$ 58 billion.
The Emirates Group has a turnover of approximately US$12 billion and employs over 50,000 employees across all its 50 business units and associated firms, making it one of the biggest employers in the Middle East. The company is wholly owned by the Government of Dubai
directly under the Investment Corporation of Dubai.
. The building is located on Airport Road, across from the site of the Emirates Engineering Centre in 2004. A tunnel connects the building to Dubai International Airport
. Construction on the building, worth 275 million New Zealand dollar
s, began in 2004. Construction was scheduled to end in mid-2006, with staff progressively moving in over the following year. Emirates self-financed the construction. Over 6,000 employees work in the building. Previously the airline's head office was the Airline Centre along the Flame Roundabout in Dubai.
The Dubai National Air Transport Association (DNATA) was formed in 1959, and by the mid-1980s, it was employing 2,500 employees. It consisted of three business segments - Dnata Airport Operations, Dnata Cargo and Dnata Agencies.
In addition to providing support services at Dubai International Airport
, the company served as sales agent for 26 airlines. Dubai had been used as a stopover on routes between Europe and the Far East since the days of Imperial Airways
, which landed its flying boats there en route to Australia. The open skies policies kept its airport among the busiest in the Middle East.
During the mid-1980s, Gulf Air
began to cut back it services to Dubai. As a result, Emirates was conceived in March 1985 with backing from Dubai's royal family, whose Dubai Royal Air Wing provided two of the airline's first aircraft, used Boeing 727-200/Advs. It was required to operate independent of government subsidies, apart from $10 million in start-up capital. It also leased a new Boeing 737-300
from Pakistan International Airlines
which was returned in 1987. Maurice Flanagan
was named managing director of the new airline. Formerly of the Royal Air Force
, British Airways
, and Gulf Air
, Flanagan had been seconded to DNATA in 1978 on a two-year assignment as assistant general sales manager.
Chairman was Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
, nephew of the ruler of Dubai became chairman of Department of Civil Aviation and DNATA itself. Tim Clark
join the management team.
The first flight of the airline was, Dubai
-Karachi
on 25 October 1985. The airline leased an Airbus 300B4-200
, from Pakistan International Airlines
. Bombay and Delhi
were the next destinations for the airline.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum later gifted two Boeing 727-200s to the airline.
The Emirates Group became profitable within its first nine months. During its first year, the airline carried about 260,000 passengers and 10,000 tons of freight. By 1986, the airline was adding new destinations such as Colombo
, Dhaka
, Amman
, and Cairo
to its route network.
In its second year the group posted a loss, but growth continued even as the region was experiencing a downturn a year later. The Gulf War
and the laying off of expatriate workers as the main factors. In its second year, competitors had accused Emirates of starting a price war
, something the airline's competitors still accuse Emirates of doing. On 3 July 1987, Emirates received its first bought Airbus A310-304, from Tolouse. Within the first 38 months of operating, Emirates was serving 12 destinations.
Emirates Sky Cargo, which operated as a separate entity, carried 25,000 tons of freight in fiscal 1989. Emirates expanded its route network into the Far East in 1990, and expanded its European operations in the summer of 1992.
In 1990, the airline purchased three additional Airbus A310-300s from Airbus.
The Group also launched Marhaba in December 1991 as a premium meet and greet service for passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport
.
had helped Emirates by keeping other airlines out of the area. Emirates was the only airline to continue flying in the last ten days of the war. By the winter of 1991, the Emirates fleet was grounded for several days, as the liberation of Kuwait begun. Operations resumed weeks later.
The airline saw the arrival of another Airbus A300-600R, taking its fleet to nine, Emirates ordered seven Boeing 777
s, with an option for seven more, in a US$645.5 million deal in the same year.
As the airline celebrated its sixth anniversary, 25,000 passengers a week were being flown to 23 destinations. A year later, Emirates opened their own US$2 million terminal at Dubai Airport.
A partnership agreement with US Airways
entered in the fall of 1993 allowed Emirates to offer services around the world. It previously had cooperation agreements with Cyprus Airways
. By 1994, the airline was connecting 32 destinations with its 15 aircraft. At this time Emirates was the sixth largest airline in the Middle East.
Emirates took in revenues of $643.4 million in the year ending 30 March 1994. The airline had 4,000 employees and carried two million passengers a year between 34 destinations with a fleet of 18 Airbus
aircraft. In spite of the large capital expenditures, the Dubai government had laid out only $50 million since the airline's inception. In October 1995, the Emirates Group launched Mercator an IT solutions company.
A total of 92 air carriers were flying to Dubai Airport and Emirates faced intense competition at its home base. It carried about three million passengers a year to Dubai International Airport
in the mid-1990s. Emirates continued to expand during the late 1990s. The growing cargo business accounted for 16 percent of the airline's total revenues. By 1995, it has a fleet flying to 34 locations in the Middle East, Far East and Europe. Emirates also opened it own Flight Training Centre in 1995.
In 1997, Emirates was flying a dedicated freighter to Amsterdam
, a point not on its network of passenger routes, in cooperation with KLM. It carried about three million passengers during the year. The same year, Emirates made a $2 billion order for 16 Airbus A330-200s, and carried over three million passengers and 150,000 tonnes of cargo. The airline also took delivery of six Boeing 777-200
s, giving it new long-haul capabilities.
Emirates opened a, $65 million training center in January 1997. The airline was then able to provide simulator training for its crew members and flight and maintenance personnel.
A record group profit of AED 371 million was achieved in 1997-98. Emirates executives planned a slowdown in the airline's growth in the late 1990s to stabilize its expansive route network.
In May 1998, Emirates paid the Government of Sri Lanka $70 million for a 40 percent stake in SriLankan Airlines
(formerly known as Air Lanka). As part of the deal, Emirates received a 10 year contract to manage SriLankan. In January 2008, Emirates announced that it would give back management of SriLankan Airlines to the Government of Sri Lanka, effective April 2008. Emirates plans to sell its stake in SriLankan Airlines to the Government of Sri Lanka during June 2010.
In 1998, the airline opened a $540 million Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport, and increased its capacity by 26 per cent as passenger figures hit 3.7 million, while cargo levels went up to 200,000 tonnes. Galileo Emirates (now known as Emquest), was established to consolidate the distribution of travel solutions, primarily the Galileo Reservation System, in the existing markets of the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In 1999, Emirates opened it own hotel - The Al Dossa Desert Resort. Emirates Group’s workforce totaled 11,000 that year, and Dnata entered the South East Asian airport services market with the launch of Dnata Philippines Inc. Emirates SkyCargo
also launched a new system called Skychain developed by Mercator, which provided access via the Internet and email to everyone involved in moving a cargo consignment.
), the largest civil aircraft ever built. The deal comprised five Airbus A380-800s and two Airbus A380-800F. The deal was confirmed on 4 November 2001 and Emirates announced orders for 15 more A380-800s at the same time. Also announced was an order for 6 Boeing 777's. Emirates justified its order saying that purchasing the 481- to 656-passenger super jumbo to was to maximize its use of scarce takeoff and landing slots at crowded airports like London Heathrow.
In the same year the new Sheikh Rashid Terminal opened, increasing the capacity at Dubai International to 22 million passengers a year. The loyalty program of Emirates, Skywards was also launched. Sheikh Ahmed also announced that Dubai Government is to invest $500–600m in the new Terminal 3 - with a capacity for 20 million passengers a year.
Towards the end of 2000, Emirates Airline was planning to start ultra-long-haul service to the East Coast and West Coast of the United States as well as nonstop flights to Australia and Argentina. Traffic continued to grow at a rate of 20 percent in 1999-2000.
In 2001, Emirates SkyCargo Centre opened with a capacity to handle 400,000 tonnes a year. Emirates was also voted airline of the year by research consultancy Skytrax
. Emirates took delivery of its 18th Airbus A330-200 and ordered two more, making it the biggest A330 operator in the world. The airline also announced an order worth $15 billion for 15 A380
s, eight A340-600s, three A330
s and 25 Boeing 777
s.
A year later, the airline was again named airline of the year by Skytrax
. Passenger level on Emirates in the 2001-02 financial year reached 6.3 million passengers, and cargo crossed 400,000 tonnes. The Group also announced a $275 million investment in new hangar complex at the Emirates Engineering Centre. Galileo Emirates was further expanded when the business acquired the distribution rights for Sudan and Tunisia.
In early 2003, the Emirates flight catering
was formed out of Emirates Abela Catering Company. Emirates flight catering employed over 5,400 staff. In its first year, the catering company produced over 16 million meals with a daily average of 45,000 meals.
In the end of 2003, Emirates ordered 71 aircraft at a cost of $19 billion.
In the financial year ending March 2003, Emirates carried 8.5 million passengers, an increase of 26%, and the airline posted an increase in profits of 94 per cent to Dhs907 million from Dhs468 million from the previous year. Dnata also launched its services in Kuwait.
In 2004, Emirates ordered four Boeing 777-300ER
s, with nine options, in a $2.96 billion deal. The SkyCargo fleet is increased with three Airbus A310-300s added to its six Boeing 747
s. Emirates also signed a £100 million deal with English Premiership side Arsenal
, which included the naming rights to its new stadium for 15 years and shirt sponsorship for eight years, starting from the 2006/07 season. By the end of 2003, Dnata began operations in Kuwait.
In 2005 the Emirates Group workforce totaled 25,000, making it Dubai’s largest employer. Passenger traffic also continued to rise with 12.5 million recorded that year. Emirates ordered 42 Boeing 777s in a deal worth $9.7 billion, the largest Boeing 777
order in history at the Dubai Airshow
in 2005.
In April 2005, Dnata started operations in Saudi Arabia.
In June, Dnata bought over Changi International Airport Services
, with Temasek Holdings
retaining shareholding.
In July, Emirates flight catering began operations at its new food point facility - a 10,000 square metre facility capable of producing 30 million meals annually.
In early 2006, Emirates flight catering began operations at its new $120 million catering facility dedicated to service the flights of Emirates Airline
. The facility had the capacity of producing over 115,00 meals daily. Also, in 2006, Emirates flight catering opened its linecraft laundering plant. The facility has a total area of 10,500 m2, and a capacity to handle 50 tonnes of laundry and dry cleaning output per day.
At the Farnborough Air Show
in 2006, Emirates signed an agreement for 10 Boeing 747-8F in a deal worth $3.3 billion, and in 2007 Emirates
signs contracts for 120 Airbus A350
s, 11 Airbus A380
s and 12 Boeing 777-300ER
s, worth an estimated $34.9 billion, at the Dubai Air Show. The New Engineering Centre and Engine Test Cell are officially opened and the Emirates Harbour Hotel & Residence and the Marina Hotel open their doors. In September, the group also buys a 49% stake in UK based Alpha Group.
Also in 2007, Dnata signed a 15-year joint venture agreement with China West Airport Group to provide airport ground handling services in Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. Dnata will also participate in operations at 10 other airports managed by CWAG. Under the agreement signed, Dnata will hold a 45 per cent stake in Xi'an Dnata Aviation Services Company Limited, with the remaining 55 per cent owned by CWAG.
Also, at the end of 2007, Dnata opened offices in Qatar.
In 2008, the Emirates Group moved into its new headquarters in Dubai
. Emirates SkyCargo
also began operations out of Dubai Cargo Village’s new Mega Terminal, with a capacity to handle 1.2 million tonnes annually.
In June, Dnata acquired a 19.99 percent stake in its partner Hogg Robinson Group
, becoming the largest shareholder in the company.
In August Emirates took delivery of three A380s and the first Emirates A380 touched down in New York in August. Emirates also received its 10,000th cabin crew member.
In September, Sabre Holdings
signed a 10-year agreement with EmQuest tp distribute services in Africa. In October the Emirates dedicated Terminal 3 opened with a capacity of over 27 million passengers, the terminal is the largest terminal in the world.
The group has recorded a profit every year, except the second, and growth has never fallen below 20% a year. In its first 11 years, it doubled in size every 3.5 years, and has every four years since.
In 2008 Emirates paid dividends worth US$776 million to the Government of Dubai.
The government has received Dhs3.1 billion from Emirates since dividends started being paid in 1999 for having provided an initial start-up capital of US$10m and an additional investment
of circa
US$80m at the time of the airline's inception, the Dubai government is the sole owner of the company. However, it does not put any new money into it, nor does it interfere with running the airline.
, hospitality services, catering
, and tour operator
operations. Emirates has 4 subsidiaries and its parent company has more than 50.
Emirates airlines employed a total of 51,786 employees of which 10,324 were cabin crew, 2,141 were flight deck crew, 1,849 were in engineering, and 9,379 were listed as other. at the end of the fiscal year on 31 March 2009.
Emirates Airline
Emirates is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, and a major airline
in the Middle East. It is the national airline of Dubai
, United Arab Emirates
and operates over 1,990 passenger flights per week, from its hub at Dubai International Airport
, to over 101 destinations in 61 countries across 6 continents. Emirates Airline was established in 1985 with one Boeing 737
and one Airbus A300
. The Emirates fleet is now 88 Boeing 777
, 27 Airbus A330
, 18 Airbus A340
and 15 Airbus A380
aircraft, together with orders for further 45 Boeing 777
aircraft, 75 Airbus A380-800, and 70 Airbus A350
aircraft with options for 50 more.
In the financial year 2008-09 passenger numbers reached 22.7 million, representing an increase of 7.1% over last year.
The airline's profits however were down 72% for the 2008/09 fiscal year. Its profit of 1.49bn dirhams ($406m; £255m) for the year to 31 March compared with a 5.3bn dirham profit for the previous year.
Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates SkyCargo is a cargo carrier operating from Dubai International Airport. The SkyCargo division operates 8 aircraft; Boeing 777
and Boeing 747
freighters, with a further 16 freighter aircraft on order; 10 Boeing 747-8
and 6 Boeing 777
aircraft. Emirates SkyCargo also use the cargo capacity of the passenger fleet.
In the 2008-09 financial year, Emirates SkyCargo carried carried 1,408,300 tonnes, an improvement of 9.8% compared to the previous year.ref name="ref1" />
Dnata is an aviation services company, comprising Dnata Airport Operations, the largest ground and passenger handling company at Dubai International Airport, Dnata Cargo, responsible for dealing with much of the 1.3 million tonnes of cargo passing through Dubai International Airport, and Dnata Agencies, a Dubai based travel agency, acting on behalf of a number of major carries, including Aeroflot
, Aer Lingus
, Airblue
, British Airways
, Swissair
and United Airlines
.
Changi International Airport Services
Changi International Airport Services (CIAS) offers a comprehensive range of ground handling services to more than 30 scheduled airlines in Singapore.
Emirates Engineering is supports the expansive fleet of Airbus
and Boeing
aircraft operated by Emirates Airline together with those of thirty other airlines through third party maintenance contracts.
The division can manage and implement all aspects of aircraft engineering support, such as maintenance, safety and logistics. It also has an engine test cell facility
It also occupies the Emirates Engineering Centre which opened in late 2006 on a 136 acre (0.55037296 km²) site at Dubai International Airport
.
Its seven fully air-conditioned hangars for heavy and light maintenance, together with a paint hangar, cover an area equivalent to 17 football pitches and have the capacity to meet the service requirements of an Emirates fleet which is growing at the rate one new aircraft every month. Each hangar has an entrance gate 88 metres wide and every bay can accommodate any size of aircraft with an engine thrust of up to 150 pounds, including the Airbus A380, which is 73 metres long with an 80-metre wingspan and a tail 24 metres high.
Emirates Flight Catering Company has over 5,400 employees and provides in-flight catering and support services for airlines at Dubai International Airport
. It provides the catering for all Emirates flights, and also for other airlines operating at the airport.
In 2009, Emirates was voted by Skytrax
, the fourth best onboard catering in Business Class
, and second best catering in Economy Class
.
The catering facility servicing the airline's flights has a design capacity of 115,000 meal tray set-ups per day. The company provided over 25.5 million meals in 2007. Official figures have not been released for 2008, however 27 million meals are estimated to be produced. The daily average meal uplift is 115,000.
Alpha Flight Services Pty Ltd (Australia)
Alpha Flight Services is a leading onboard catering operator and has been supplying all Emirates airline flights departing Australia since 2008.
Emirates Group has a 49 per cent interest in the company, which provides in-flight catering at nine airports in Australia, including all major international gateways, serving 16 customer airlines with over seven million meals a year.
Mercator is the IT division of Emirates Group, launched in 1985 to serve the business technology requirements of Emirates and Dnata, but is now a fully fledged worldwide provider of airline and airport "solutions". The IT division employs more than 2,000 staff in Dubai, with additional resources in India.
Emirates High Street is an online store which stocks over 400 products, such as luxury goods, electronics, and luxury holiday packages.
Customers use Skywards Miles, earned by members of Emirates airline’s frequent flyer loyalty scheme, to buy products.
Emirates Leisure Retail
Emirates Leisure Retail’s core business is establishing, managing and franchising a wide-range of restaurants, cafes, bars and leisure facilities in the GCC
.
Sirocco
Sirocco is a joint venture between Emirates and Heineken
International which manages the sales and marketing of a range of beverages in the Middle East.
It handles brands such as Heineken
, Amstel Light, Budweiser
, Tiger
, Carling
and Sol
, and - following Heineken’s acquisition of Scottish & Newcastle - Bulmers and Strongbow.
With a market share of 60% in Dubai, it is the leading operator in the UAE, as well as Oman
, Bahrain
and Qatar
.
Emirates Group Security is an organization that is responsible for security measures throughout the Emirates network.
It covers all Dubai passengers and cargo terminal users, company facilities and staff accommodation.
Emirates Group Security also investigates theft, document fraud, misappropriation and all breaches of security against the interests of the company and its customers.
Transguard Group
Transguard Group is a security services provider in the Middle East with an annual turnover exceeding AED600 million and more than 38,000 full-time employees. It is also one of the region's largest operators in business support services, facilities management, cash management, security technology, training, events management and airport services.
Established in 2001 as a support service provider to the numerous brands operating under the Emirates Group.
Its cash management business operates from the company’s headquarters in Dubai’s Airport Freezone which also houses the largest cash processing facility in the region, while an additional facility was recently opened in Abu Dhabi.
The company is a subsidiary of Emirates providing providing administrative support, managing data, and coordinating third party suppliers such as venues, catering
, and accommodation
. It deals with conferences and provides support to delegates, as well as providing leisure and recreational activities for visiting delegates.
CSI has hosted large events such as the Global Travel and Tourism Council, which around 1,300 delegates attended. It also hosted on behalf of the World Economic Forum
and the government of Dubai, a summit on the Global Agenda attended by 700 business, government and academia representatives.
Gulf Ventures
Is another destination management company, that provides tourist operations in the United Arab Emirates
and Oman
.
Arabian Adventures
Arabian Adventures is a destination management company, providing services to the different tour operators, incentive houses, meeting organisers, businesses and cruise lines.
Emirates Holidays is the tour operating arm of Emirates.
Emirates Holidays top destinations are Dubai
, Malaysia, Thailand
, the Maldives
and Mauritius
.
Emirates Tours UK
Is the official tour operator of Emirates Airlines providing holiday packages, special vacation offers to passengers travelling on Emirates Airline
.
EmQuest
EmQuest provides electronic distribution products and services to different firms, connecting suppliers with resellers and giving them a platform to exchange content and trade with one another.
It manages a large network of brands, content and services for tour operators, travel agents, car rental companies, hotels and airlines throughout the Middle East and Africa.
Global Distribution Systems (GDS) are a key line of business and EmQuest works with Sabre Holdings to manage the distribution, sales, service and support of Sabre GDS in the UAE, as well as five African markets, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Prior to this, EmQuest was known as Galileo Emirates and distributed products in the UAE, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.
Calogi is a secure internet service portal that gives offers a range of air cargo businesses from around the world to negotiate and sell products and services online.
Its secure portal connects all the players from the airfreight community, such as airlines, agents, freight forwarders and government authorities, to a global network of firms.
Cargo Partners
Cargo Partners is the sales and services arm of Dnata
Cargo and offers support to more than a quarter of all the airlines operating out of Dubai International Airport
.
It manages export sales and local operations on behalf of more than 30 carriers.
Dnata-PWC Airport Logistics LLC
Dnata-PWC Airport Logistics LLC provides cargo transport services for both local and international customers, including Emirates Sky Cargo, British Airways
and Singapore Airlines
.
The joint venture between Dnata and Public Warehousing Corporation Kuwait specialises in road haulage, with both heavy and light trucks that are designed for air cargo.
Freightworks uses the cargo data systems to offer tailor-made global logistics solutions to firms in the Middle East.
SDV-UAE LLC
SDV-UAE LLC is one of the largest transport and logistics providers in the Middle East with multinational contacts in the cargo industry.
As of 1 November 2007, the Emirates Group has launched the first of the Emirates Hotels & Resorts Residences with The Harbour Hotel & Residence
. This is a hotel and residential tower located in Dubai Marina
. It is the first of six international properties expected to open in 2008.
This is a consultancy subsidiary of Emirates airline’s Skywards frequent flyer programme.
It offers a comprehensive range of CRM and loyalty solutions, covering every step from conception, creation and design to delivery, implementation, management and support.
Skywards
Skywards is a four tier frequent flier program operated by Emirates Airline. It is used by over 5.72 million customers. The three main tiers are Blue; Silver which requires 25,000 tier miles or 25 sectors for entry; and Gold, which requires 50,000 tier miles or 50 sectors. There is a fourth and highly exclusive level known as Invitation Only or 'IO'.
Skywards had been notably generous by global industry standards. Recently announced changes, effective early 2010, will discriminate based on fare, rather than class of travel. This brings the programme more in line with other airlines. It would require upwards of 25000 miles (40,233.5 km) of travel each year on discounted economy tickets to qualify for the Silver tier, effectively placing that tier out of reach of most leisure travelers. Benefits for premium cabin travel have been increased, presumably in an effort to attract business travelers.
The aviation college is an education and training facility which gives graduates a training in the airline industry.
The college opened in 1991, offering a range of professional vocational training programmes.
More than 1700 aerospace engineers and technicians and 2000 air traffic controllers have graduated from the college, while the number of full-time students has increased from 300 to 1100 between years 2004 and 2009.
Emirates CAE Flight Training
Emirates-CAE Flight Training provides aviation-related courses for commercial carriers in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia, primarily aimed at flight deck crew and airline maintenance personnel.
The joint venture between Emirates Group and CAE Inc of Canada is located in the Emirates Aviation College campus, near Dubai International Airport
.
ECFT, as the joint venture is known, is the first facility of its kind in the Middle East to be qualified to both Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.
The 14-bay centre houses 10 full-flight simulators: two Airbus A320
/ACJs, an Airbus A330
/340, a Boeing 777
, two Boeing 737
NG/BBJs, a Gulfstream IV
and a Gulfstream V/550, a Hawker 800/800XP and a Bell 412
helicopter simulator.
Dnata owns 50% equity stakes in Dubai Express, Gerry's Dnata (Pvt.) Ltd. and Dnata Arabian Airport Services Co. Ltd, 49% equity stake in Safiran Dnata Airport Services PJSC, 40% stake in Emirates Loyalty Company and a 20% stake in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Ground Handling Services Co. Ltd.
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, by Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
. The Emirates Group comprises Dnata
Dnata
Dnata is one of the largest suppliers of combined air services in the world offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services across five continents. With a global footprint of 37 countries, Dnata employs over 20,000 employees for its operations worldwide.-History:Dnata was...
, an aviation services company providing ground handling services at 17 airports and Emirates Airline
Emirates Airline
Emirates is the airline based in the Emirate of Dubai part of the United Arab Emirates . Based at Dubai International Airport it is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 2,400 flights per week, from its hub at Terminal 3, to 111 cities in 62 countries across six continents...
, the largest airline in the Middle East. Emirates Airlines flies to over 100 destinations across 6 continents, operating a fleet of over 130 wide-bodied aircraft. The airline has 170 aircraft on order worth US$ 58 billion.
The Emirates Group has a turnover of approximately US$12 billion and employs over 50,000 employees across all its 50 business units and associated firms, making it one of the biggest employers in the Middle East. The company is wholly owned by the Government of Dubai
Politics of the United Arab Emirates
Politics of the United Arab Emirates takes place in a framework of a federal, presidential, elected monarchy. The UAE is a federation of seven absolute monarchies: the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain...
directly under the Investment Corporation of Dubai.
Head office
The airline's head office is in the Emirates Group building in Al-Garhoud, DubaiDubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
. The building is located on Airport Road, across from the site of the Emirates Engineering Centre in 2004. A tunnel connects the building to Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
. Construction on the building, worth 275 million New Zealand dollar
New Zealand dollar
The New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
s, began in 2004. Construction was scheduled to end in mid-2006, with staff progressively moving in over the following year. Emirates self-financed the construction. Over 6,000 employees work in the building. Previously the airline's head office was the Airline Centre along the Flame Roundabout in Dubai.
Origins
As the British pulled out of Dubai in the late 1950s, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum al Maktoum decreed an open seas, open skies, and open trade policy, to develop the country. He also required all government agencies to make a profit. The country was aiming to eliminate its dependence on its finite oil reserves within 50 years.The Dubai National Air Transport Association (DNATA) was formed in 1959, and by the mid-1980s, it was employing 2,500 employees. It consisted of three business segments - Dnata Airport Operations, Dnata Cargo and Dnata Agencies.
In addition to providing support services at Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
, the company served as sales agent for 26 airlines. Dubai had been used as a stopover on routes between Europe and the Far East since the days of Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways was the early British commercial long range air transport company, operating from 1924 to 1939 and serving parts of Europe but especially the Empire routes to South Africa, India and the Far East...
, which landed its flying boats there en route to Australia. The open skies policies kept its airport among the busiest in the Middle East.
During the mid-1980s, Gulf Air
Gulf Air
Gulf Air is the principal flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Headquartered in Muharraq, adjacent to Bahrain International Airport, the airline operates scheduled services to 45 destinations in 28 countries across Africa, Asia and Europe. Its main base is Bahrain International Airport...
began to cut back it services to Dubai. As a result, Emirates was conceived in March 1985 with backing from Dubai's royal family, whose Dubai Royal Air Wing provided two of the airline's first aircraft, used Boeing 727-200/Advs. It was required to operate independent of government subsidies, apart from $10 million in start-up capital. It also leased a new Boeing 737-300
Boeing 737 Classic
The Boeing 737 Classic is the name given to the -300/-400/-500 series of the Boeing 737 following the introduction of the -600/-700/-800/-900 series. They are short- to medium- range, narrow-body jet airliners produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Classic series was introduced as the 'new...
from Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation commonly known as PIA, is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan. The airline has its head office on the grounds of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. and operates scheduled services to 24 domestic destinations and 38 international destinations in 27...
which was returned in 1987. Maurice Flanagan
Maurice Flanagan
Sir Maurice Flanagan, KBE is the founding CEO of Emirates and currently the Executive Vice-Chairman of The Emirates Group. He was born in 1928 in Leigh, Lancashire, England...
was named managing director of the new airline. Formerly of the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
, and Gulf Air
Gulf Air
Gulf Air is the principal flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Headquartered in Muharraq, adjacent to Bahrain International Airport, the airline operates scheduled services to 45 destinations in 28 countries across Africa, Asia and Europe. Its main base is Bahrain International Airport...
, Flanagan had been seconded to DNATA in 1978 on a two-year assignment as assistant general sales manager.
Chairman was Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is the President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of The Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World.- Background:...
, nephew of the ruler of Dubai became chairman of Department of Civil Aviation and DNATA itself. Tim Clark
Tim Clark (Emirates Airline)
Tim Clark is current President of Emirates and the Chairman of the Emirates Foundation. He is also the former Managing Director of Sri Lankan Airlines. Tim Clark is an economics graduate from the University of London and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.-Background:Tim Clark has been in...
join the management team.
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
-Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
on 25 October 1985. The airline leased an Airbus 300B4-200
Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
, from Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines Corporation commonly known as PIA, is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan. The airline has its head office on the grounds of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. and operates scheduled services to 24 domestic destinations and 38 international destinations in 27...
. Bombay and Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
were the next destinations for the airline.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum later gifted two Boeing 727-200s to the airline.
The Emirates Group became profitable within its first nine months. During its first year, the airline carried about 260,000 passengers and 10,000 tons of freight. By 1986, the airline was adding new destinations such as Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
, Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
, and Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
to its route network.
In its second year the group posted a loss, but growth continued even as the region was experiencing a downturn a year later. The Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
and the laying off of expatriate workers as the main factors. In its second year, competitors had accused Emirates of starting a price war
Price war
Price war is a term used in economic sector to indicate a state of intense competitive rivalry accompanied by a multi-lateral series of price reduction. One competitor will lower its price, then others will lower their prices to match. If one of them reduces their price again, a new round of...
, something the airline's competitors still accuse Emirates of doing. On 3 July 1987, Emirates received its first bought Airbus A310-304, from Tolouse. Within the first 38 months of operating, Emirates was serving 12 destinations.
Emirates Sky Cargo, which operated as a separate entity, carried 25,000 tons of freight in fiscal 1989. Emirates expanded its route network into the Far East in 1990, and expanded its European operations in the summer of 1992.
In 1990, the airline purchased three additional Airbus A310-300s from Airbus.
The Group also launched Marhaba in December 1991 as a premium meet and greet service for passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
.
Growth
Emirates airline had become one of the world's fastest growing airlines by the early 1990s. Revenues increased by about $100 million each year, approaching $500 million in 1993. It carried 68,000 tons of cargo and 1.6 million passengers in the same year. The Gulf WarGulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
had helped Emirates by keeping other airlines out of the area. Emirates was the only airline to continue flying in the last ten days of the war. By the winter of 1991, the Emirates fleet was grounded for several days, as the liberation of Kuwait begun. Operations resumed weeks later.
The airline saw the arrival of another Airbus A300-600R, taking its fleet to nine, Emirates ordered seven Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
s, with an option for seven more, in a US$645.5 million deal in the same year.
As the airline celebrated its sixth anniversary, 25,000 passengers a week were being flown to 23 destinations. A year later, Emirates opened their own US$2 million terminal at Dubai Airport.
A partnership agreement with US Airways
US Airways
US Airways, Inc. is a major airline based in the U.S. city of Tempe, Arizona. The airline is an operating unit of US Airways Group and is the sixth largest airline by traffic and eighth largest by market value in the country....
entered in the fall of 1993 allowed Emirates to offer services around the world. It previously had cooperation agreements with Cyprus Airways
Cyprus Airways
Cyprus Airways is the national airline of Cyprus, a public limited company with its head offices located in the capital of the island, Nicosia. It operates scheduled services to 41 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf. It flies from both airports of the island, Larnaca and Paphos,...
. By 1994, the airline was connecting 32 destinations with its 15 aircraft. At this time Emirates was the sixth largest airline in the Middle East.
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
aircraft. In spite of the large capital expenditures, the Dubai government had laid out only $50 million since the airline's inception. In October 1995, the Emirates Group launched Mercator an IT solutions company.
A total of 92 air carriers were flying to Dubai Airport and Emirates faced intense competition at its home base. It carried about three million passengers a year to Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
in the mid-1990s. Emirates continued to expand during the late 1990s. The growing cargo business accounted for 16 percent of the airline's total revenues. By 1995, it has a fleet flying to 34 locations in the Middle East, Far East and Europe. Emirates also opened it own Flight Training Centre in 1995.
In 1997, Emirates was flying a dedicated freighter to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, a point not on its network of passenger routes, in cooperation with KLM. It carried about three million passengers during the year. The same year, Emirates made a $2 billion order for 16 Airbus A330-200s, and carried over three million passengers and 150,000 tonnes of cargo. The airline also took delivery of six Boeing 777-200
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
s, giving it new long-haul capabilities.
Emirates opened a, $65 million training center in January 1997. The airline was then able to provide simulator training for its crew members and flight and maintenance personnel.
A record group profit of AED 371 million was achieved in 1997-98. Emirates executives planned a slowdown in the airline's growth in the late 1990s to stabilize its expansive route network.
In May 1998, Emirates paid the Government of Sri Lanka $70 million for a 40 percent stake in SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Sri Lanka. It operates to destinations in Asia and Europe from its base and hub at Bandaranaike International Airport . The airline's trademark phrase is 'You're Our World', and the company's logo features a stylized peacock...
(formerly known as Air Lanka). As part of the deal, Emirates received a 10 year contract to manage SriLankan. In January 2008, Emirates announced that it would give back management of SriLankan Airlines to the Government of Sri Lanka, effective April 2008. Emirates plans to sell its stake in SriLankan Airlines to the Government of Sri Lanka during June 2010.
In 1998, the airline opened a $540 million Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport, and increased its capacity by 26 per cent as passenger figures hit 3.7 million, while cargo levels went up to 200,000 tonnes. Galileo Emirates (now known as Emquest), was established to consolidate the distribution of travel solutions, primarily the Galileo Reservation System, in the existing markets of the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
In 1999, Emirates opened it own hotel - The Al Dossa Desert Resort. Emirates Group’s workforce totaled 11,000 that year, and Dnata entered the South East Asian airport services market with the launch of Dnata Philippines Inc. Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates SkyCargo is a cargo airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the air freight division of Emirates, which started operations in October 1985, the same year Emirates was formed. Since then it has been the main cargo division of Emirates, and the anchor cargo airline at Dubai...
also launched a new system called Skychain developed by Mercator, which provided access via the Internet and email to everyone involved in moving a cargo consignment.
Modern history
Emirates announced an order in April 2000 as the first launch customer for the Airbus A3XX (later named Airbus A380Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
), the largest civil aircraft ever built. The deal comprised five Airbus A380-800s and two Airbus A380-800F. The deal was confirmed on 4 November 2001 and Emirates announced orders for 15 more A380-800s at the same time. Also announced was an order for 6 Boeing 777's. Emirates justified its order saying that purchasing the 481- to 656-passenger super jumbo to was to maximize its use of scarce takeoff and landing slots at crowded airports like London Heathrow.
In the same year the new Sheikh Rashid Terminal opened, increasing the capacity at Dubai International to 22 million passengers a year. The loyalty program of Emirates, Skywards was also launched. Sheikh Ahmed also announced that Dubai Government is to invest $500–600m in the new Terminal 3 - with a capacity for 20 million passengers a year.
In 2001, Emirates SkyCargo Centre opened with a capacity to handle 400,000 tonnes a year. Emirates was also voted airline of the year by research consultancy Skytrax
Skytrax
Skytrax is a United Kingdom-based consultancy, the public face of Inflight Research Services, which has the largest airline and airport review and ranking site. It conducts research for commercial airlines...
. Emirates took delivery of its 18th Airbus A330-200 and ordered two more, making it the biggest A330 operator in the world. The airline also announced an order worth $15 billion for 15 A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
s, eight A340-600s, three A330
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
s and 25 Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
s.
A year later, the airline was again named airline of the year by Skytrax
Skytrax
Skytrax is a United Kingdom-based consultancy, the public face of Inflight Research Services, which has the largest airline and airport review and ranking site. It conducts research for commercial airlines...
. Passenger level on Emirates in the 2001-02 financial year reached 6.3 million passengers, and cargo crossed 400,000 tonnes. The Group also announced a $275 million investment in new hangar complex at the Emirates Engineering Centre. Galileo Emirates was further expanded when the business acquired the distribution rights for Sudan and Tunisia.
In early 2003, the Emirates flight catering
Emirates flight catering
Emirates Flight Catering is a in-flight catering service based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which provides catering and support services for Emirates Airline and all other airlines based at Dubai International Airport...
was formed out of Emirates Abela Catering Company. Emirates flight catering employed over 5,400 staff. In its first year, the catering company produced over 16 million meals with a daily average of 45,000 meals.
In the end of 2003, Emirates ordered 71 aircraft at a cost of $19 billion.
In the financial year ending March 2003, Emirates carried 8.5 million passengers, an increase of 26%, and the airline posted an increase in profits of 94 per cent to Dhs907 million from Dhs468 million from the previous year. Dnata also launched its services in Kuwait.
In 2004, Emirates ordered four Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
s, with nine options, in a $2.96 billion deal. The SkyCargo fleet is increased with three Airbus A310-300s added to its six Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
s. Emirates also signed a £100 million deal with English Premiership side Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, which included the naming rights to its new stadium for 15 years and shirt sponsorship for eight years, starting from the 2006/07 season. By the end of 2003, Dnata began operations in Kuwait.
In 2005 the Emirates Group workforce totaled 25,000, making it Dubai’s largest employer. Passenger traffic also continued to rise with 12.5 million recorded that year. Emirates ordered 42 Boeing 777s in a deal worth $9.7 billion, the largest Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
order in history at the Dubai Airshow
Dubai Airshow
The Dubai Airshow is a biennial show held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is organized by "Fairs & Exhibitions Ltd" since the year 1989; in cooperation with the Government of Dubai, the Department of Civil Aviation and Dubai International Airport in collaboration with the UAE Union Defense...
in 2005.
In April 2005, Dnata started operations in Saudi Arabia.
In June, Dnata bought over Changi International Airport Services
Changi International Airport Services
Changi International Airport Services is currently the second largest ground handling provider at Singapore Changi Airport, providing services for 27 scheduled airlines and to about 40 non-scheduled airline companies, including cargo handling, catering, as well as security services.CIAS was...
, with Temasek Holdings
Temasek Holdings
Temasek Holdings is an investment company owned by the government of Singapore. With an international staff of 380 people, it manages a portfolio of about S$193 billion at end of March 2011, focused primarily in Asia...
retaining shareholding.
In July, Emirates flight catering began operations at its new food point facility - a 10,000 square metre facility capable of producing 30 million meals annually.
Emirates Airline
Emirates is the airline based in the Emirate of Dubai part of the United Arab Emirates . Based at Dubai International Airport it is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 2,400 flights per week, from its hub at Terminal 3, to 111 cities in 62 countries across six continents...
. The facility had the capacity of producing over 115,00 meals daily. Also, in 2006, Emirates flight catering opened its linecraft laundering plant. The facility has a total area of 10,500 m2, and a capacity to handle 50 tonnes of laundry and dry cleaning output per day.
At the Farnborough Air Show
Farnborough Air Show
The Farnborough International Airshow is a seven-day international trade fair for the aerospace industry which is held in even-numbered years in mid-July at Farnborough Airfield in Hampshire, England....
in 2006, Emirates signed an agreement for 10 Boeing 747-8F in a deal worth $3.3 billion, and in 2007 Emirates
signs contracts for 120 Airbus A350
Airbus A350
The Airbus A350 is a family of long-range, wide-body jet airliners under development by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.A consortium originally comprising European aerospace companies from the UK, France, Spain and West Germany, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known...
s, 11 Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
s and 12 Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
s, worth an estimated $34.9 billion, at the Dubai Air Show. The New Engineering Centre and Engine Test Cell are officially opened and the Emirates Harbour Hotel & Residence and the Marina Hotel open their doors. In September, the group also buys a 49% stake in UK based Alpha Group.
Also in 2007, Dnata signed a 15-year joint venture agreement with China West Airport Group to provide airport ground handling services in Xi'an Xianyang International Airport. Dnata will also participate in operations at 10 other airports managed by CWAG. Under the agreement signed, Dnata will hold a 45 per cent stake in Xi'an Dnata Aviation Services Company Limited, with the remaining 55 per cent owned by CWAG.
Also, at the end of 2007, Dnata opened offices in Qatar.
In 2008, the Emirates Group moved into its new headquarters in Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
. Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates SkyCargo
Emirates SkyCargo is a cargo airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the air freight division of Emirates, which started operations in October 1985, the same year Emirates was formed. Since then it has been the main cargo division of Emirates, and the anchor cargo airline at Dubai...
also began operations out of Dubai Cargo Village’s new Mega Terminal, with a capacity to handle 1.2 million tonnes annually.
In June, Dnata acquired a 19.99 percent stake in its partner Hogg Robinson Group
Hogg Robinson Group
Hogg Robinson Group is an international corporate travel services organisation with headquarters in the UK. HRG offers corporate travel services which include Corporate Travel Management, Consulting, Expense management, Events & Meetings Management and Sports...
, becoming the largest shareholder in the company.
In August Emirates took delivery of three A380s and the first Emirates A380 touched down in New York in August. Emirates also received its 10,000th cabin crew member.
In September, Sabre Holdings
Sabre Holdings
Sabre Holdings or Sabre, Inc. is an American privately held travel technology company, encompassing several brands in three global distribution system channels: travel agency, airline, and direct to consumer. These areas are serviced by TSG's three main business groups...
signed a 10-year agreement with EmQuest tp distribute services in Africa. In October the Emirates dedicated Terminal 3 opened with a capacity of over 27 million passengers, the terminal is the largest terminal in the world.
Corporate management
The Emirates Group, which is a subsidiary of the Dubai government investment company, Investment Corporation of Dubai.The group has recorded a profit every year, except the second, and growth has never fallen below 20% a year. In its first 11 years, it doubled in size every 3.5 years, and has every four years since.
In 2008 Emirates paid dividends worth US$776 million to the Government of Dubai.
The government has received Dhs3.1 billion from Emirates since dividends started being paid in 1999 for having provided an initial start-up capital of US$10m and an additional investment
Investment
Investment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
of circa
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
US$80m at the time of the airline's inception, the Dubai government is the sole owner of the company. However, it does not put any new money into it, nor does it interfere with running the airline.
Structure and employment
Emirates has diversified into related industries and sectors, including airport services, engineeringEngineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, hospitality services, catering
Catering
Catering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose...
, and tour operator
Tour operator
A tour operator typically combines tour and travel components to create a holiday. The most common example of a tour operator's product would be a flight on a charter airline plus a transfer from the airport to a hotel and the services of a local representative, all for one price. Niche tour...
operations. Emirates has 4 subsidiaries and its parent company has more than 50.
Emirates airlines employed a total of 51,786 employees of which 10,324 were cabin crew, 2,141 were flight deck crew, 1,849 were in engineering, and 9,379 were listed as other. at the end of the fiscal year on 31 March 2009.
Subsidiaries
The Emirates Group has diversified in to related industries and sectors, including aircraft ground handling, aviation engineering, air catering, and tour operator operations. The Group has over 50 subsidiaries and associate companies.Financial performance
The group's profits however were down 72% for the 2008/09 fiscal year. Its profit of 1.49bn dirhams ($406m; £255m) for the year to 31 March compared with a 5.3bn dirham profit for the previous year.| Year ended | Turnover (AEDm) | Expenditure (AEDm) | Operating profit | Net profit/loss (AEDm) | Shareholder's funds (AEDm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 March 1999 | 4,442.9 | 4,130.2 | 312.7 | 312.959 | |
| 31 March 2000 | 5,113.8 | 4,812.9 | 300.9 | 300.900 | |
| 31 March 2001 | 6,921.4 | 6,365.2 | 745.0 | 531.3 | 2,816.5 |
| 31 March 2002 | 7,814.5 | 7,188.9 | 738.6 | 603.0 | 3,549.2 |
| 31 March 2003 | 10,240.1 | 9,138.3 | 1,124.1 | 1,048.5 | 4,429.7 |
| 31 March 2004 | 14,012.8 | 12,154.8 | 1,907.4 | 1,747.3 | 5,763.7 |
| 31 March 2005 | 19,091.8 | 16,396.5 | 2,805.4 | 2,600.0 | 8,768.7 |
| 31 March 2006 | 24,239.2 | 21,353.5 | 2,942.6 | 2,799.4 | 12,241.2 |
| 31 March 2007 | 31,131.6 | 27,607.9 | 3,634.8 | 3,456.3 | 14,863.6 |
| 31 March 2008 | 41,916.4 | 36,536.5 | 4,696.2 | 5,325.3 | 18,866.6 |
| 46,258.8 | 44,706.0 | 3,040.1 | 1,489.0 | 18,962.5 |
Air transport
Emirates is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, and a major airline
Major carrier
Major carrier or major airline carrier is a designation given by the United States Department of Transportation to U.S.-based airlines that post more than $1 billion in revenue during a fiscal year.As of 2010, there were 19 major carriers....
in the Middle East. It is the national airline of Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
and operates over 1,990 passenger flights per week, from its hub at Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
, to over 101 destinations in 61 countries across 6 continents. Emirates Airline was established in 1985 with one Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
and one Airbus A300
Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
. The Emirates fleet is now 88 Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
, 27 Airbus A330
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
, 18 Airbus A340
Airbus A340
The Airbus A340 is a long-range four-engine wide-body commercial passenger jet airliner. Developed by Airbus Industrie,A consortium of European aerospace companies, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known as Airbus SAS. a consortium of European aerospace companies, which is...
and 15 Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
aircraft, together with orders for further 45 Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
aircraft, 75 Airbus A380-800, and 70 Airbus A350
Airbus A350
The Airbus A350 is a family of long-range, wide-body jet airliners under development by European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.A consortium originally comprising European aerospace companies from the UK, France, Spain and West Germany, Airbus is now fully owned by EADS and since 2001 has been known...
aircraft with options for 50 more.
In the financial year 2008-09 passenger numbers reached 22.7 million, representing an increase of 7.1% over last year.
The airline's profits however were down 72% for the 2008/09 fiscal year. Its profit of 1.49bn dirhams ($406m; £255m) for the year to 31 March compared with a 5.3bn dirham profit for the previous year.
Emirates SkyCargo
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
and Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
freighters, with a further 16 freighter aircraft on order; 10 Boeing 747-8
Boeing 747-8
The Boeing 747-8 is a wide-body jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Officially announced in 2005, the 747-8 is the fourth-generation Boeing 747 version, with lengthened fuselage, redesigned wings and improved efficiency...
and 6 Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
aircraft. Emirates SkyCargo also use the cargo capacity of the passenger fleet.
In the 2008-09 financial year, Emirates SkyCargo carried carried 1,408,300 tonnes, an improvement of 9.8% compared to the previous year.ref name="ref1" />
Airport aviation services
DnataDnata is an aviation services company, comprising Dnata Airport Operations, the largest ground and passenger handling company at Dubai International Airport, Dnata Cargo, responsible for dealing with much of the 1.3 million tonnes of cargo passing through Dubai International Airport, and Dnata Agencies, a Dubai based travel agency, acting on behalf of a number of major carries, including Aeroflot
Aeroflot
OJSC AeroflotRussian Airlines , commonly known as Aeroflot , is the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation, based on passengers carried per year...
, Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus Group Plc is the flag carrier of Ireland. It operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft serving Europe and North America. It is Ireland's oldest extant airline, and its second largest after low-cost rival Ryanair...
, Airblue
Airblue
Airblue Limited is a private airline with its head office on the 12th floor of the Islamabad Stock Exchange Towers in Islamabad, Pakistan. It is Pakistan's second largest airline with over 20% share of the domestic market...
, British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
, Swissair
Swissair
Swissair AG was the former national airline of Switzerland.It was formed from a merger between Balair and Ad Astra Aero , in 1931...
and United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
.
Changi International Airport Services
Changi International Airport Services (CIAS) offers a comprehensive range of ground handling services to more than 30 scheduled airlines in Singapore.
Engineering services
Emirates EngineeringAirbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
and Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
aircraft operated by Emirates Airline together with those of thirty other airlines through third party maintenance contracts.
The division can manage and implement all aspects of aircraft engineering support, such as maintenance, safety and logistics. It also has an engine test cell facility
It also occupies the Emirates Engineering Centre which opened in late 2006 on a 136 acre (0.55037296 km²) site at Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
.
Its seven fully air-conditioned hangars for heavy and light maintenance, together with a paint hangar, cover an area equivalent to 17 football pitches and have the capacity to meet the service requirements of an Emirates fleet which is growing at the rate one new aircraft every month. Each hangar has an entrance gate 88 metres wide and every bay can accommodate any size of aircraft with an engine thrust of up to 150 pounds, including the Airbus A380, which is 73 metres long with an 80-metre wingspan and a tail 24 metres high.
Airport aviation services: catering
Emirates flight cateringDubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
. It provides the catering for all Emirates flights, and also for other airlines operating at the airport.
In 2009, Emirates was voted by Skytrax
Skytrax
Skytrax is a United Kingdom-based consultancy, the public face of Inflight Research Services, which has the largest airline and airport review and ranking site. It conducts research for commercial airlines...
, the fourth best onboard catering in Business Class
Business class
Business class is a travel class available on many commercial airlines and rail lines, known by brand names which vary by airline or rail company. In the airline industry, it was originally intended as an intermediate level of service between economy class and first class, but many airlines now...
, and second best catering in Economy Class
Economy class
__FORCETOC__Economy class, also called coach class , steerage, or standard class, is the lowest class of seating in air travel, rail travel, and sometimes ferry or maritime travel....
.
The catering facility servicing the airline's flights has a design capacity of 115,000 meal tray set-ups per day. The company provided over 25.5 million meals in 2007. Official figures have not been released for 2008, however 27 million meals are estimated to be produced. The daily average meal uplift is 115,000.
Alpha Flight Services Pty Ltd (Australia)
Alpha Flight Services is a leading onboard catering operator and has been supplying all Emirates airline flights departing Australia since 2008.
Emirates Group has a 49 per cent interest in the company, which provides in-flight catering at nine airports in Australia, including all major international gateways, serving 16 customer airlines with over seven million meals a year.
IT
MercatorMercator is the IT division of Emirates Group, launched in 1985 to serve the business technology requirements of Emirates and Dnata, but is now a fully fledged worldwide provider of airline and airport "solutions". The IT division employs more than 2,000 staff in Dubai, with additional resources in India.
Retail
Emirates High StreetEmirates High Street is an online store which stocks over 400 products, such as luxury goods, electronics, and luxury holiday packages.
Customers use Skywards Miles, earned by members of Emirates airline’s frequent flyer loyalty scheme, to buy products.
Emirates Leisure Retail
Emirates Leisure Retail’s core business is establishing, managing and franchising a wide-range of restaurants, cafes, bars and leisure facilities in the GCC
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council , is a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and constituting the Arabian Peninsula, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates...
.
Sirocco
Sirocco is a joint venture between Emirates and Heineken
Heineken
Heineken is a Dutch beer which has been brewed by Heineken International since 1873. It is available in a 4.6% alcohol variety in countries such as Ireland. It is the flagship product of the Heineken company and is made of purified water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. In 1886 H...
International which manages the sales and marketing of a range of beverages in the Middle East.
It handles brands such as Heineken
Heineken
Heineken is a Dutch beer which has been brewed by Heineken International since 1873. It is available in a 4.6% alcohol variety in countries such as Ireland. It is the flagship product of the Heineken company and is made of purified water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. In 1886 H...
, Amstel Light, Budweiser
Budweiser
Budweiser is a German adjective describing something or someone from the city of České Budějovice in Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic.Beer brewing in České Budějovice dates back to the 13th century...
, Tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
, Carling
Carling
Carling brands are currently owned by the Molson Coors Brewing Company. In South Africa it is distributed by SABMiller.Carling Black Label is the name of a brand of Canadian lager in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and South Africa...
and Sol
Sol
Soľ is a village and municipality in Vranov nad Topľou District in the Prešov Region of eastern Slovakia.-Geography:The municipality lies at an altitude of 140 metres and covers an area of 10.286 km². It has a population of about 2,293 people....
, and - following Heineken’s acquisition of Scottish & Newcastle - Bulmers and Strongbow.
With a market share of 60% in Dubai, it is the leading operator in the UAE, as well as Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
, Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
and Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
.
Risk management and security
Emirates Group SecurityEmirates Group Security is an organization that is responsible for security measures throughout the Emirates network.
It covers all Dubai passengers and cargo terminal users, company facilities and staff accommodation.
Emirates Group Security also investigates theft, document fraud, misappropriation and all breaches of security against the interests of the company and its customers.
Transguard Group
Transguard Group is a security services provider in the Middle East with an annual turnover exceeding AED600 million and more than 38,000 full-time employees. It is also one of the region's largest operators in business support services, facilities management, cash management, security technology, training, events management and airport services.
Established in 2001 as a support service provider to the numerous brands operating under the Emirates Group.
Its cash management business operates from the company’s headquarters in Dubai’s Airport Freezone which also houses the largest cash processing facility in the region, while an additional facility was recently opened in Abu Dhabi.
Tour operator and events management
Congress Solutions InternationalThe company is a subsidiary of Emirates providing providing administrative support, managing data, and coordinating third party suppliers such as venues, catering
Catering
Catering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose...
, and accommodation
Lodging
Lodging is a type of residential accommodation. People who travel and stay away from home for more than a day need lodging for sleep, rest, safety, shelter from cold temperatures or rain, storage of luggage and access to common household functions.Lodgings may be self catering in which case no...
. It deals with conferences and provides support to delegates, as well as providing leisure and recreational activities for visiting delegates.
CSI has hosted large events such as the Global Travel and Tourism Council, which around 1,300 delegates attended. It also hosted on behalf of the World Economic Forum
World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is a Swiss non-profit foundation, based in Cologny, Geneva, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland....
and the government of Dubai, a summit on the Global Agenda attended by 700 business, government and academia representatives.
Gulf Ventures
Is another destination management company, that provides tourist operations in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
and Oman
Oman
Oman , officially called the Sultanate of Oman , is an Arab state in southwest Asia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest. The coast is formed by the Arabian Sea on the...
.
Arabian Adventures
Arabian Adventures is a destination management company, providing services to the different tour operators, incentive houses, meeting organisers, businesses and cruise lines.
Travel
Emirates HolidaysEmirates Holidays is the tour operating arm of Emirates.
Emirates Holidays top destinations are Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, Malaysia, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
and Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
.
Emirates Tours UK
Is the official tour operator of Emirates Airlines providing holiday packages, special vacation offers to passengers travelling on Emirates Airline
Emirates Airline
Emirates is the airline based in the Emirate of Dubai part of the United Arab Emirates . Based at Dubai International Airport it is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 2,400 flights per week, from its hub at Terminal 3, to 111 cities in 62 countries across six continents...
.
EmQuest
EmQuest provides electronic distribution products and services to different firms, connecting suppliers with resellers and giving them a platform to exchange content and trade with one another.
It manages a large network of brands, content and services for tour operators, travel agents, car rental companies, hotels and airlines throughout the Middle East and Africa.
Global Distribution Systems (GDS) are a key line of business and EmQuest works with Sabre Holdings to manage the distribution, sales, service and support of Sabre GDS in the UAE, as well as five African markets, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Prior to this, EmQuest was known as Galileo Emirates and distributed products in the UAE, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar.
Air cargo support services
CalogiCalogi is a secure internet service portal that gives offers a range of air cargo businesses from around the world to negotiate and sell products and services online.
Its secure portal connects all the players from the airfreight community, such as airlines, agents, freight forwarders and government authorities, to a global network of firms.
Cargo Partners
Cargo Partners is the sales and services arm of Dnata
Dnata
Dnata is one of the largest suppliers of combined air services in the world offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services across five continents. With a global footprint of 37 countries, Dnata employs over 20,000 employees for its operations worldwide.-History:Dnata was...
Cargo and offers support to more than a quarter of all the airlines operating out of Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
.
It manages export sales and local operations on behalf of more than 30 carriers.
Dnata-PWC Airport Logistics LLC
Dnata-PWC Airport Logistics LLC provides cargo transport services for both local and international customers, including Emirates Sky Cargo, British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
and Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...
.
The joint venture between Dnata and Public Warehousing Corporation Kuwait specialises in road haulage, with both heavy and light trucks that are designed for air cargo.
Freight forwarding and logistics
FreightworksFreightworks uses the cargo data systems to offer tailor-made global logistics solutions to firms in the Middle East.
SDV-UAE LLC
SDV-UAE LLC is one of the largest transport and logistics providers in the Middle East with multinational contacts in the cargo industry.
Hotels and resorts
Emirates Hotels and ResortsAs of 1 November 2007, the Emirates Group has launched the first of the Emirates Hotels & Resorts Residences with The Harbour Hotel & Residence
The Harbour Hotel & Residence
Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites is a 59-floor 256 meter tall skyscraper completed in 2007. This residential and hotel tower is located in Dubai Marina in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and features 261 suites offering choices of 24 spacious studio rooms, six one-bedroom, 170 two-bedroom and 55...
. This is a hotel and residential tower located in Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina
Dubai Marina is a district in the heart of what has become known as "new Dubai" in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai Marina is a canal city, carved along a two mile stretch of Persian Gulf shoreline. When the entire development is complete, it will accommodate more than 120,000 people in...
. It is the first of six international properties expected to open in 2008.
Loyalty programs
Emirates Loyalty SerThis is a consultancy subsidiary of Emirates airline’s Skywards frequent flyer programme.
It offers a comprehensive range of CRM and loyalty solutions, covering every step from conception, creation and design to delivery, implementation, management and support.
Skywards
Skywards is a four tier frequent flier program operated by Emirates Airline. It is used by over 5.72 million customers. The three main tiers are Blue; Silver which requires 25,000 tier miles or 25 sectors for entry; and Gold, which requires 50,000 tier miles or 50 sectors. There is a fourth and highly exclusive level known as Invitation Only or 'IO'.
Skywards had been notably generous by global industry standards. Recently announced changes, effective early 2010, will discriminate based on fare, rather than class of travel. This brings the programme more in line with other airlines. It would require upwards of 25000 miles (40,233.5 km) of travel each year on discounted economy tickets to qualify for the Silver tier, effectively placing that tier out of reach of most leisure travelers. Benefits for premium cabin travel have been increased, presumably in an effort to attract business travelers.
Training
EmiratesThe aviation college is an education and training facility which gives graduates a training in the airline industry.
The college opened in 1991, offering a range of professional vocational training programmes.
More than 1700 aerospace engineers and technicians and 2000 air traffic controllers have graduated from the college, while the number of full-time students has increased from 300 to 1100 between years 2004 and 2009.
Emirates CAE Flight Training
Emirates-CAE Flight Training provides aviation-related courses for commercial carriers in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia, primarily aimed at flight deck crew and airline maintenance personnel.
The joint venture between Emirates Group and CAE Inc of Canada is located in the Emirates Aviation College campus, near Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
.
ECFT, as the joint venture is known, is the first facility of its kind in the Middle East to be qualified to both Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards.
The 14-bay centre houses 10 full-flight simulators: two Airbus A320
Airbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
/ACJs, an Airbus A330
Airbus A330
The Airbus A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a division of EADS. Versions of the A330 have a range of and can accommodate up to 335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry of cargo....
/340, a Boeing 777
Boeing 777
The Boeing 777 is a long-range, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It is the world's largest twinjet and is commonly referred to as the "Triple Seven". The aircraft has seating for over 300 passengers and has a range from , depending on model...
, two Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
NG/BBJs, a Gulfstream IV
Gulfstream IV
The Gulfstream IV and derivatives are a family of twin-jet aircraft, mainly for private or business use. The aircraft was designed and built by Gulfstream Aerospace, a General Dynamics company based in Savannah, Georgia, United States from 1985 until 2003.-Design and development:Gulfstream, in...
and a Gulfstream V/550, a Hawker 800/800XP and a Bell 412
Bell 412
The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. It is a development of the Bell 212 model, the major difference being the composite four-blade main rotor.-Design and development:...
helicopter simulator.
Key people
- HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum - Chairman and Chief Executive
- Sir Maurice Flanagan KBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
- Vice Chairman, Airline and Group - Tim ClarkTim Clark (Emirates Airline)Tim Clark is current President of Emirates and the Chairman of the Emirates Foundation. He is also the former Managing Director of Sri Lankan Airlines. Tim Clark is an economics graduate from the University of London and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.-Background:Tim Clark has been in...
- President, Emirates Airline - Gary Chapman - President Group Services & Dnata
Shareholdings
The Emirates Group holds a 68.7% stake in Dubai-based Maritime and Mercantile International, 34.4% equity stake in Oman United Agencies and a 54.7% equity stake in Emirates Flight Catering. Emirates Flight Catering is the sole provider of airline and airport catering services at Dubai International Airport.Dnata owns 50% equity stakes in Dubai Express, Gerry's Dnata (Pvt.) Ltd. and Dnata Arabian Airport Services Co. Ltd, 49% equity stake in Safiran Dnata Airport Services PJSC, 40% stake in Emirates Loyalty Company and a 20% stake in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is the main airport of Guangzhou, the capital of the province of Guangdong, People's Republic of China. Both airport codes were inherited from the previous Guangzhou airport, and the IATA code reflects Guangzhou's former romanization Canton...
Ground Handling Services Co. Ltd.