Photo: Emirates The Emirates Aviation Group has published its annual report for 2025-26, reporting a pre-tax profit of 24.4 billion dirhams (about $6.6 billion), a 7% increase over the previous year. The group's revenue also reached a record 150.5 billion dirhams (about $41 billion), an increase of 3%, and cash balances climbed to 59.6 billion dirhams (about $16.2 billion).
After tax, the group reported a profit of 21 billion dirhams (about $5.7 billion), an increase of 3% compared to 2024-25. The group announced a dividend of about $1 billion, to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai.
Emirates' incredible numbers. Photo: EmiratesEmirates maintained its position as the world’s most profitable airline during the reporting period, with pre-tax profit of AED 22.8 billion ($6.2 billion), revenue of AED 130.9 billion ($35.7 billion) and cash balances of AED 54.9 billion ($15 billion). The airline carried 53.2 million passengers, a decrease of 1%, with a load factor of 78.4%.
During the year, Emirates expanded its operations with four new destinations: Da Nang, Hangzhou, Siem Reap, and Shenzhen. As of March 31, the airline's global network included 152 cities in 80 countries. The airline's fleet stood at 277 aircraft at the end of the year, after taking delivery of 15 new Airbus A350 aircraft.
EMIRATES A350. Photo: Emiratesdnata (the group’s ground services, cargo and tourism arm) also posted growth, with pre-tax profit of 1.6 billion dirhams ($437 million), record revenue of 23.6 billion dirhams ($6.4 billion) and cash balances of 4.7 billion dirhams ($1.3 billion). The company reported increases in ground operations, catering and travel, alongside investments in new facilities in Australia, Amsterdam and electric and hybrid ground equipment.
The group said that operations were impacted in the final month of the financial year due to civil aviation disruptions in the Gulf region, but Emirates and dnata operations in Dubai have gradually recovered. At the same time, cargo operations have been increased to support the movement of essential goods to and from the UAE.
During the year, the group invested 17.9 billion dirhams ($4.9 billion) in aircraft, facilities, equipment and technologies. The number of employees in the group increased by 8% to 130,919 employees.
Emirates Boeing 777-9. Photo: Emirates“These outstanding results, despite significant challenges in the last month of our financial year, reaffirm the strength and resilience of the Emirates Group’s business model, which is rooted in safety, excellence, innovation, people and partnerships.,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group. He continued: “For the first 11 months of 2025-26, the picture across the Group was very positive. Strong demand for our products and services was driving revenue, and we were achieving healthy margins thanks to our sustained investments in product, people, technology and brand."
Regarding the regional security situation, he noted: "On 28 February, military activity massively disrupted global commercial air traffic in the Gulf region, including in the UAE. Emirates and dnata quickly mobilised to support our people and affected customers, protect our assets, and ensure business continuity."
Sheikh Ahmed concluded: "Our fundamentals are strong. The Emirates Group’s proven business model is unchanged. Dubai’s place at the nexus of global commerce, trade and travel flows is unchanged. Our ambition to be the best in the world, and to be of service to the world, is unchanged.”
Chairman and CEO of the Emirates Group, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Photo: Emirates