DUBAI, November 6, 2025: The Emirates Group reported a record half-year profit of AED10.6 billion (US$2.9 billion) for the first six months of the 2025–26 financial year, a 13 percent increase over the same period last year. The Group’s profit before tax rose to AED12.2 billion (US$3.3 billion), marking the fourth consecutive year of record profitability for the half-year reporting period. Revenue for the Dubai-based aviation and travel services conglomerate reached AED75.4 billion (US$20.6 billion), up 4 percent from AED70.8 billion (US$19.3 billion) last year. The company also reported a strong EBITDA of AED21.1 billion (US$5.7 billion), 3 percent higher year-on-year.
As of September 30, 2025, the Group held AED56 billion (US$15.2 billion) in cash, compared with AED53.4 billion (US$14.6 billion) at the end of March 2025. Emirates said it funded new aircraft deliveries and debt obligations using its own reserves and completed the remaining AED2 billion (US$545 million) dividend payment declared for the previous fiscal year. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said the record results reflect strong performance across all business units. He noted that Emirates maintained its position as the world’s most profitable airline during the half-year period and credited continued customer demand for driving growth in revenue and profitability.
Emirates Airline reported a profit before tax of AED11.4 billion (US$3.1 billion), up from AED9.7 billion (US$2.6 billion) in the same period last year. Profit after tax increased to AED9.9 billion (US$2.7 billion), a 13 percent rise. Revenue climbed 6 percent to AED65.6 billion (US$17.9 billion), supported by an increase in flight operations and sustained passenger demand. The airline carried 27.8 million passengers between April and September 2025, up 4 percent year-on-year, while overall capacity expanded by 5 percent. During the first half of the year, Emirates received five new Airbus A350 aircraft and refurbished 23 existing planes as part of its US$5 billion retrofit program.
Passenger traffic and network expansion drive growth
Its global network grew to 153 destinations in 81 countries, with new routes added to Danang, Siem Reap, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou. Emirates also added 28 weekly flights to key destinations including Johannesburg, Muscat, Rome, Riyadh, and Taipei. The airline signed new codeshare and interline agreements with Air Seychelles, Condor, and Aurigny. Operationally, Emirates reported an average passenger seat factor of 79.5 percent, slightly down from 80 percent last year. Emirates SkyCargo transported 1.25 million tonnes of cargo, a 4 percent increase, though cargo yields declined by 6 percent due to lower market demand in some sectors. The cargo division added three new Boeing 777 freighters and launched Emirates Courier Express, a door-to-door express shipping service.
Group records solid operational and financial resilience
The Emirates Group’s ground handling and travel services unit, dnata, also achieved record results, with half-year revenue rising 13 percent to AED11.7 billion (US$3.2 billion) and profit after tax increasing 22 percent to AED697 million (US$190 million). dnata handled 450,903 aircraft turns, a 15 percent increase, and 1.59 million tonnes of cargo, up 3 percent year-on-year. dnata’s airport operations remained its largest revenue contributor at AED5.5 billion (US$1.5 billion), while catering and retail operations generated AED4.1 billion (US$1.1 billion), an 11 percent increase. The company invested US$110 million to deploy 800 new ground support units worldwide and expanded its hospitality brand, marhaba, to the UK. Its travel division revenue rose 11 percent to AED2 billion (US$538 million), with total transaction value up 9 percent to AED5 billion (US$1.4 billion).
The Group’s workforce increased 3 percent to 124,927 employees as of September 30, 2025, to support growing operations across Emirates and dnata. Both divisions continue active recruitment across global markets. Emirates also advanced its environmental and brand initiatives during the reporting period. The airline used sustainable aviation fuel at 37 airports and joined the Aviation Circularity Consortium. It secured long-term sponsorship agreements with FC Bayern Munich, Real Madrid Basketball, and the ATP Tour, extending its global sports partnerships through 2030. The Emirates Group’s half-year performance reinforces its position among the most profitable aviation companies globally, supported by steady travel demand, capacity expansion, and strong liquidity. – By Content Syndication Services.