Celebrating Excellence: Emirates has a strong leadership, that cares for its employees.
From two leased aircraft to the youngest and most advanced fleet, Emirates today is the blue-eyed boy of the aviation sector
Published: Sun 25 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Sun 25 Oct 2015, 8:01 AM
1985
October 25 - Emirates takes wing. Flight EK600 departs Dubai International Airport for Karachi, Pakistan.
1987
Emirates allowed to fly into London's Gatwick Airport, as well as Istanbul, Frankfurt and Male.
1991
On its sixth anniversary Emirates flies 25,000 passengers a week to 23 destinations around the world.
1992
Emirates becomes the first airline to install video systems throughout its fleet. The airlines also opens a $2 million terminal exclusive to Emirates at Dubai International Airport.
1995
As the airline celebrates its 10th anniversary, it flies to 34 locations in the Middle East, Far East and Europe. In the same year, Emirates enters the African market and opens an Emirates Flight Training Centre in Dubai.
1998
Emirates increases its capacity by 26 per cent as passenger figures grow to 3.7 million. Voted the Best Airline in the World at OAG Awards. Emirates open the $540 million Terminal 2 at Dubai International.
1999
Passenger arrivals at Dubai International Airport hit the 11-million mark.
2001
Emirates SkyCargo Centre - with a capacity to handle 400,000 tonnes a year - opens. The airline orders 15 A380s, eight A340-600s, three A330s and 25 Boeing 777s worth $15 billion.
2003
Emirates orders the biggest deal in civil aviation history - 71 aircraft at a cost of $19 billion (Paris Airshow). After carrying 8.5 million passengers, an increase of 26 per cent, the airline posts profits increase of 94 per cent to Dh907 million.
2004
Emirates makes its maiden flight to North America - a non-stop 14-hour flight to New York's JFK Airport.
2005
Emirates passenger traffic rises to 12.5 million. The airline orders 42 Boeing 777s worth $9.7 billion - the largest Boeing 777 order in history.
2007
Emirates signs contracts for 120 Airbus A350s, 11 A380s and 12 Boeing 777-330ERs, worth $34.9 billion at the Dubai Airshow.
2008
T-3, an Emirates-dedicated terminal, opens at Dubai International Airport and within a month 500,000 passengers had flown out of the terminal. Same year Emirates becomes the first international carrier to introduce an in-flight mobile phone service.
2009
Emirates becomes the world's largest operator of Boeing 777s with the delivery of its 78th B777 aircraft.
2010
Emirates celebrates its 25th anniversary with new routes to Madina (Saudi Arabia), Tokyo (Japan), Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Prague (Czech Republic), Madrid (Spain) and Dakar (Senegal).
2011
Emirates places the largest single order in Boeing's history: 50 777-300 ER aircraft, worth $18 billion. The order also included 20 777-300 ER options valued at $8 billion. The Emirates Group posts a record profit of Dh5.9 billion ($1.6 billion) for the financial year.
2013
Emirates bags the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show. The airline was awarded the highly coveted 'World's Best Airline' award, also lapping up awards for 'Best Middle East Airline' and 'World's Best Inflight Entertainment'.
2015
Emirates celebrates its 30th anniversary. Launches two new routes on September 1: Masshad, Iran (146th destination) and Orlando, US (147th).
Compiled by Sadiq Shaban
Number one: From flight catering to cargo, Emirates is the undisputed leader in the industry.
iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
