Emirates Airplane. Photo: Shutterstock Four decades ago today, the first passenger flight of Emirates Airlines took off from Dubai, marking a historical milestone in the Middle East aviation industry.
The inaugural flight, designated EK600, departed from Dubai Airport, heading to Karachi, Pakistan, and later that day to Mumbai, India.
At that time, Emirates was an ambitious initiative by the Dubai government to establish the emirate as a global trade and tourism hub. The company did not own any aircraft and began operations with two leased planes from Pakistan International Airlines: a Boeing 737 and an Airbus A300B4.
The vision was clear: to create a Dubai-based airline focused on service, financially independent, and positioned to put Dubai on the world map.
This vision quickly came to life, as Emirates launched routes to London, Paris, Singapore, and Australia within less than a decade. By the 2000s, it had turned into one of the most prestigious and innovative airlines globally.
Today, Emirates operates a fleet of over 250 aircraft, including the Airbus A380, the largest passenger plane in the world, and flies to more than 150 destinations across six continents.
Last month, we reported that, starting October 26, 2025, Emirates will deploy its new flagship Airbus A350 on flights to Hangzhou, an important city for the airline's business travelers, upgrading the aircraft just three months after opening the route.
Additionally, the company has won numerous international awards for service, innovation, and quality, and is associated with a luxurious flight experience that sets a high standard in the global industry.