Emirates Airline Group announced a gross profit of $6.2 billion for the 2024-25 financial year (April 2024 to March 2025), marking a 15% increase from the previous year’s $5.4 billion.
The Dubai-based conglomerate, comprising Emirates Airline and its ground-handling arm dnata, attributed the growth to robust passenger demand, expanded network capacity, and high cargo yields. The results, presented at a press conference in Dubai, reflect the group’s recovery from pandemic-era losses and its strategic investments in fleet modernization and customer experience.
Emirates Airline carried 56.2 million passengers in 2024-25, up 10% from 51.2 million, with a seat load factor of 79.8%. The airline operated 2,140 weekly flights to 144 destinations, adding six new routes, including Bogotá via Miami and Verona. Its fleet grew to 271 aircraft, with 12 new Airbus A350s and Boeing 777-Xs delivered, enhancing fuel efficiency. Cargo operations handled 2.3 million tonnes, driven by demand for perishables and electronics, contributing $1.1 billion to profits. dnata’s logistics and travel services added $900 million, with 720,000 tonnes of cargo processed globally.
The group’s performance defied challenges like geopolitical tensions and rising fuel costs, which increased 12% year-on-year. Investments in sustainability, including $200 million for sustainable aviation fuel, and digital innovations, such as AI-driven booking systems, bolstered efficiency. Emirates’ cash reserves stood at $12.8 billion, supporting plans for 50 more aircraft by 2027. The results reinforce Dubai’s position as a global aviation hub, with Emirates projecting 60 million passengers in 2025-26, despite concerns over regional instability impacting Middle Eastern carriers.