The Emirates Group announced its strongest half-year financial results ever, recording record pre-tax profits of AED 12.2 billion (US$3.3 billion) for the first six months of the 2025-26 financial year – an increase of 17 percent year-on-year and the fourth consecutive period of record profitability.
The group’s profits after tax reached AED 10.6 billion (US$2.9 billion), an increase of 13 percent over last year, while revenues rose by 4 percent to AED 75.4 billion (US$20.6 billion). Supported by resilient passenger demand and sustainable operational expansion, the group also maintained healthy EBITDA of AED 21.1 billion (US$ 5.7 billion). As of September 30, 2025, Emirates Group’s cash position had reached a record high of AED 56 billion (US$15.2 billion), providing the liquidity needed for fleet investment, new aircraft deliveries and debt servicing.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, said:
“The Group has once again achieved outstanding performance, surpassing our semi-annual results from last year to achieve a new record profit for the first half of 2025-2026. Emirates maintains its position as the most profitable airline in the world during this semi-annual reporting period.”
He added that the group’s success reflects “continued demand and growing customer preference for the excellence of Emirates’ products and services,” enabling continued investments in innovation, technology and sustainability.
Airline performance
Emirates achieved record half-year pre-tax profits of AED 11.4 billion (US$3.1 billion), up 17 percent year-on-year, with revenue increasing to AED 65.6 billion (US$17.9 billion). This growth was driven by continued appetite for travel across regions and strong demand for premium cabins.
From April to September 2025, Emirates launched new services to Danang, Siem Reap, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, expanding its network to 153 airports in 81 countries. The airline also added 28 new weekly flights to key destinations, enhancing global connectivity.
The fleet expansion continued with the delivery of five new A350 aircraft and the completion of the modernization of 23 aircraft as part of its $5 billion programme. Emirates’ premium economy airline – now available on routes to 61 cities – has remained a key driver of growth.
On the ground, the airline introduced the “Emirates First” service, an exclusive check-in experience for first class passengers and members of the Skywards Platinum program at Dubai Airport. The brand also unveiled new retail stores in Accra, Bangkok, Geneva, Jakarta, Mauritius, Osaka, Seoul and Singapore, further strengthening its customer engagement strategy.
Sustainability remained a focus, with Emirates promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at 37 airports and joining the Aviation Circular Consortium to promote circular economy initiatives in the aviation sector.
Reinforcing its brand, Emirates has signed multi-year partnerships with FC Bayern Munich, Real Madrid Basketball and European Professional Rugby, while expanding sponsorships with the ATP Tour and Olympique Lyonnais until 2030.
Passenger traffic increased by 4 percent to 27.8 million, while Emirates SkyCargo transported 1.25 million tons of cargo, an increase of 4 percent over last year. Although shipping revenues declined by 6%, demand for specialized logistics services remained stable. Emirates also launched Courier Express, a door-to-door express shipping service for international companies.
dnata performance
dnata recorded its highest-ever half-year revenue of AED 11.7 billion (US$3.2 billion), an increase of 13 percent year-on-year. Profit before tax increased by 17% to 843 million dirhams (230 million US dollars), while profits after tax amounted to 697 million dirhams (190 million US dollars).
The company’s Airport Operations division contributed AED 5.5 billion (US$ 1.5 billion), an increase of 15%, supported by the expansion of services in Italy, Australia, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. The total number of aircraft handled rose 15 percent to 450,903 aircraft, while cargo volumes rose 3 percent to 1.59 million tons.
The dnata Catering and Retail division achieved revenues of 4.1 billion dirhams (1.1 billion US dollars), an increase of 11 percent, with high demand in Australia and the United Kingdom. Its travel division contributed AED 2 billion (US$538 million), with total transaction value rising 9% to AED 5 billion (US$1.4 billion).
In the first half, dnata invested US$110 million to deploy 800 new units of ground support equipment across its global network, and launched its Marhaba hospitality brand at airports in the UK. The company also acquired a minority stake in WonderMiles, an NDC-powered booking platform, and entered into its first major sports sponsorship with Dubai Basketball Club.
Sheikh Ahmed concluded,
“Global demand for air transport remains buoyant despite geopolitical and economic pressures. Emirates and dnata are positioned for continued growth, with new A350 aircraft joining the fleet and expanding facilities supporting dnata’s international operations.”
