Emirates

About Emirates

In the mid-1980s, Gulf Air started reducing its services to Dubai, posing a challenge to the emirate's connectivity. In response, Dubai's royal family initiated a bold plan. In 1985, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then UAE Minister of Defence, tasked Sir Maurice Flanagan with a formidable challenge: launch a new airline in just five months. With $10 million in initial capital from the government and backing from Dubai's ruler, Emirates was born. The airline was mandated to operate independently, without government subsidies. The airline's chairman since its founding is Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Operations began on October 25, 1985, with its first flights from Dubai to Karachi and Mumbai. These initial flights used two aircraft wet-leased from Pakistan International Airlines, which also provided crucial technical assistance and training. Emirates experienced rapid growth, expanding its network and fleet. By 1987, it took delivery of its first owned aircraft, an Airbus A310, and launched its first European route to London Gatwick. A pivotal moment came with its 2000 order for the Airbus A380, becoming the first airline to sign up for the superjumbo and eventually its largest operator. This move signaled its ambition to become a major global carrier, leveraging Dubai's strategic location as a hub connecting continents. The airline has remained profitable almost every year since its inception, a notable achievement in the aviation industry.