The Emirates Group achieves record annual profits amounting to 24.4 billion dirhams

Dubai, 7 May / WAM / Today, the Emirates Group announced its financial report for the fiscal year 2025-2026, recording new record levels in profits, revenues and cash liquidity, despite the operational challenges and circumstances witnessed in the last month of its financial year.

The group recorded record profits before taxes amounting to 24.4 billion dirhams ($6.6 billion), a growth of 7% compared to the previous fiscal year, with a pre-tax profit margin of 16.2%, and record revenues of 150.5 billion dirhams ($41 billion), a growth of 3% compared to the previous fiscal year.

Cash balances also reached a record level of 59.6 billion dirhams ($16.2 billion), a growth of 12% compared to the previous fiscal year.

Operating profits before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization amounted to 41.1 billion dirhams ($11.2 billion).

Emirates Airlines has established its position as the most profitable air carrier in the world, achieving record profits before taxes amounting to 22.8 billion dirhams ($6.2 billion), a growth of 7% compared to the previous fiscal year, with a profit margin before taxes of 17.4%, after record revenues amounting to 130.9 billion dirhams ($35.7 billion), a growth of 2%.

Cash balances reached 54.9 billion dirhams ($15 billion), a growth of 10% compared to March 31, 2025.

dnata achieved record profits before taxes amounting to 1.6 billion dirhams ($437 million), a growth of 2%, with a pre-tax profit margin of 6.8%, and record revenues amounting to 23.6 billion dirhams ($6.4 billion), a growth of 12%, while cash balances grew 28% to 4.7 billion dirhams ($1.3 billion).

The Emirates Group announced the distribution of 3.5 billion dirhams, the share of the Investment Corporation of Dubai, which owns the Emirates Group.

The current fiscal year witnessed the application of an increase in the corporate tax rate in the UAE to the group, from 9% to 15%, in light of the adoption of international tax rules known as the second pillar.

After calculating the tax, the group’s net profits amounted to 21.0 billion dirhams ($5.7 billion), recording a growth of 3% compared to the fiscal year 2024-2025.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and the Group, said: These exceptional results, which were achieved despite the great challenges witnessed in the last month of our financial year, reflect the strength of the Emirates Group’s business model and its ability to adapt, which is a model based on safety, excellence and innovation, and is based on the competence of our staff and the strength of our partnerships. This performance also embodies the ambitious vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him”, and the support And the continuous follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

His Highness added that during the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2025-2026, the general indicators of the group’s performance were very positive, as the strong demand for our products and services contributed to driving revenue growth. We also continued to achieve healthy profit margins thanks to our continued investments in developing our products, empowering our staff, enhancing our technical capabilities, and consolidating our brand presence. We have continued, month after month, to exceed our operational targets.

He said that against the backdrop of regional developments, global commercial aviation traffic, especially in the Gulf region, witnessed widespread disruptions, including in the United Arab Emirates, and Emirates Airlines and dnata responded quickly, by harnessing their resources to support their affected staff and customers, protect their assets, and ensure the continuity of their operations with high efficiency.

He added: “We are fortunate in Dubai, which, through its investments in world-class infrastructure, and thanks to an integrated and interconnected aviation system, has established solid foundations that have enabled the concerned authorities to secure safe air corridors for commercial flights efficiently and quickly.”

He pointed out that, based on these elements, Emirates Airlines and dnata continued to restore their operations gradually and orderly at Dubai International Airport, and despite continuing to operate at a capacity below pre-disturbances levels, cargo operations witnessed growing momentum, in support of the continued flow of vital goods to and through the country, and to strengthen Dubai’s position as a major hub in the global trade movement.

He stated that the Emirates Group has faced multiple crises and challenges over the years, and each time our focus was on our customers and our staff, and each time we came back stronger and more prepared.

His Highness said: Our human resources are an essential pillar of our success, as they have enabled us to respond flexibly and efficiently in a changing operational environment.

During the fiscal year 2025-2026, the Emirates Group invested a total of 17.9 billion dirhams ($4.9 billion) in new aircraft, facilities, equipment, and the latest technologies.

The total number of employees in the group witnessed a growth of 8% to reach 130,919 employees, and the number of Emirati national cadres within the group exceeded 4,000 employees.

Regarding aspirations for the fiscal year 2026-2027, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said that, in light of the current calming of geopolitical developments in the region, we look forward to the return of stability to the markets, and at the same time we continue to implement our plans with confidence and consistency.

His Highness added that, on the fuel front, Emirates Airlines has a strong hedging strategy that extends until the fiscal year 2028-2029, and we have also worked closely with our supplier partners to ensure we secure the necessary quantities to support our current operations and our plans for a gradual return to pre-unrest levels.

He stressed that the group is entering its fiscal year 2026-2027 with strong financial solvency that allows the implementation of plans steadily and without short-term pressures.

He said that we continue to receive new aircraft and implement the fleet modernization program at an accelerated pace, in addition to planned investments in facilities and equipment.

His Highness added: “Our business is based on solid foundations, and the Emirates Group’s business model, which has proven its efficiency, continues to perform steadily and continuously, based on Dubai’s position as a global hub for trade and travel. Our focus remains focused on moving forward with confidence, consolidating our leadership globally, and continuing to contribute an active role in connecting and serving the world.”

The total operational capacity of Emirates Airlines, including passengers and cargo, grew by 1% to 60.6 billion available ton-kilometres by the end of the fiscal year 2025-2026.

During the year, the carrier continued to expand its global network, and by March 31, the Emirates network extended to 152 cities in 80 countries, while strengthening its partnerships to include 32 code-sharing agreements and 117 partners through interline agreements, allowing customers to seamlessly reach more than 1,700 cities outside the scope of its direct network.

The total number of aircraft in the carrier’s fleet at the end of its fiscal year reached 277 aircraft, with an average age of 10.8 years.

During the Dubai Airshow 2025, Emirates Airlines announced additional investments in its fleet worth $41.4 billion according to announced prices, which included an order for 65 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft and 8 Airbus A350-900 aircraft. By March 31, the total number of outstanding orders reached 367 aircraft, including 54 A350 aircraft, 270 Boeing 777X family aircraft, 35 Boeing 787 aircraft, and 8 Boeing F777 freighters, with a delivery schedule extending until 2038.

The strong commercial performance resulted in operating cash flows amounting to 32 billion dirhams during the fiscal year 2025-2026, which supports the carrier’s ability to continue implementing its growth plans.

Emirates Airlines achieved record profits after tax amounting to 19.7 billion dirhams, exceeding the results of the previous year, which amounted to 19.1 billion dirhams, while achieving an outstanding profit margin of 15%.

Emirates Airlines carried 53.2 million passengers during the financial year, with a slight decrease of 1% in seat capacity.

Last November, it announced an agreement with Starlink to provide its fleet with high-speed Internet service.

Emirates Airlines accelerated the pace of implementation of the project, with 21 aircraft ready for service until March 31, with plans to expand its scope throughout the entire fleet during the coming period.

The $5 billion fleet modernization program has also continued its progress at an accelerated pace, with 91 aircraft out of a target of 215 aircraft having been modernized so far.

Emirates Sky Cargo achieved exceptional performance during the fiscal year, transporting 2.4 million tons of goods around the world, a growth of 3% compared to the previous year.

The delivery of 5 new Boeing 777 cargo aircraft during the year also contributed to increasing the operational capacity of the cargo fleet by 13%.

Emirates SkyCargo recorded strong revenues amounting to 16.2 billion dirhams, representing 12% of Emirates’ total revenues.

At the level of Emirates Group companies and projects, both Emirates Flight Catering and MMI/Emirates Entertainment and Retail made notable contributions during the fiscal year 2025-2026.

Emirates Flight Catering recorded a growth in its revenues from external customers by 12% to reach 1.2 billion dirhams. It also provided 16.2 million meals during the year to more than 100 airlines in Dubai, in addition to winning contracts to provide catering services for major international events, such as the Dubai Airshow and the Dubai Rugby Sevens Championship.

MMI/Emirates Entertainment and Retail also recorded revenues of 2.9 billion dirhams, a decrease of 5% as a result of the challenges witnessed in some of its international markets.

Dnata recorded a 2% growth in its profits before tax to reach 1.6 billion dirhams, and its profits after tax amounted to 1.3 billion dirhams.

Dnata’s total revenues increased by 12% to reach a new record high of 23.6 billion dirhams.

Dnata’s international operations represented 77% of its total revenues, an increase of two percentage points compared to the previous year.

With regard to sustainability, the Emirates Group continued to direct its investments and work closely with its partners to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and enhance its role in serving the communities in which it operates.

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