The Emirates Group has reported record half-year financial results for the first six months of the 2025-26 fiscal year, achieving a profit before tax of AED 12.2 billion (US$ 3.3 billion). This marks the fourth consecutive year that the Group has set a new high for half-year profitability.
After accounting for taxes, profit after tax reached AED 10.6 billion (US$ 2.9 billion). The company’s EBITDA stood at AED 21.1 billion (US$ 5.7 billion), a slight increase from last year’s figure.
Group revenue rose by 4% to AED 75.4 billion (US$ 20.6 billion) compared to the same period in the previous year. As of September 30, cash reserves had grown to AED 56.0 billion (US$ 15.2 billion), up from AED 53.4 billion on March 31, supporting ongoing investments and operational needs such as aircraft acquisitions and debt payments.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, stated: “The Group has once again delivered an outstanding performance, surpassing our half-year results of last year to achieve a new record profit for H1 2025-26. I’m delighted to note that Emirates maintains its position as the world’s most profitable airline for this half-year reporting period.
“We saw benefit from lower fuel prices and a favourable currency exchange environment, but primarily, it was the unflagging demand and growing customer preference for our product and services that drove revenue growth and profitability.
“Emirates and dnata have invested billions to continually enhance our products and services, to bring new products to market, to improve our operations through innovation and technology, and to look after our employees who ensure our customers’ safety and satisfaction. These are core to our DNA.
“The Group’s strong profitability enables us to continue making these investments, and to scale up our proven business models in concert with Dubai’s growth as a global city of choice for talent, for businesses, and for tourists.”
Sheikh Ahmed added: “Global demand for air transport and travel services has been buoyant, despite geo-political events and economic concerns in some markets. We expect this demand resilience to continue for the rest of 2025-26 and look forward to increasing our capacity to grow revenues as new A350 aircraft join the Emirates fleet, and new facilities come online at dnata.”
To support expanding operations across both Emirates Airline and dnata divisions, total staff numbers increased by three percent since March this year with nearly 125,000 employees as of September end.
dnata experienced notable growth during this period across its cargo handling; catering; retail; ground handling; travel; airport hospitality; sports sponsorships; strategic equipment investment; international contracts; minority stake acquisitions; asset disposals; revenue increased by thirteen percent reaching AED11 .7billion( US $3 .2billion ). Profit before tax grew seventeen percent over last year’s comparable period , totaling AED843 million( US $230million ). After-tax profit was reported at AED697 million( US $190million ).
Key initiatives included plans worth US$110 million towards deploying advanced ground support equipment globally , launching its marhaba airport hospitality brand in the UK , acquiring stakes in tech-driven booking platforms , divesting majority ownership in sightseeing tour operator Super Bus within UAE ,and signing major sports sponsorship agreements including partnership with Dubai Basketball .
dnata’s airport operations generated most revenue—AED5 .5billion( US $1 .5billion )—a fifteen percent rise driven by stronger activity especially in Italy , Australia ,the UK,and UAE . Aircraft turns handled increased fifteen percent thanks partly due expanded activities like Rome Fiumicino Airport opening ; cargo volume also rose three percent fueled largely by UAE operation expansions .
Flight catering/retail contributed eleven percent more than previous years(AED4 .1billion /US $1 .1billion ),despite one-percent dip meal count caused mainly by shifting contract mix or production optimization efforts internationally while retail product share continued growing strongly .
Travel division posted eleven percent gain generating revenues totaling two-billion dirhams(US $538million ); transactional value also climbed nine percent versus prior comparable periods .
Emirates Airline further extended its network adding flights/routes into Asia-Pacific locations such as Danang,Shem Reap Shenzhen,and Hangzhou ;expanded connectivity via codeshare/interline partnerships ;acquired five new Airbus A350 jets boosting premium seating inventory while refurbishing additional existing widebody planes under multibillion-dollar upgrade programs .
Passenger traffic totaled twenty-seven point eight million—a four-percent rise—and available seat kilometers went up five percent over last year’s figures.Premium Economy cabin expansion continued globally now accessible between Dubai-and sixty-one cities.Customers benefited from enhancements on ground including exclusive check-in areas,new concept stores,and progress on environmental targets such as sustainable aviation fuel use plus participation in circular economy consortia focused on decarbonization pathways throughout aviation supply chains .
Marketing investments included multi-year sponsorships with leading sports teams/leagues(F.C.Bayern Munich ,Real Madrid Basketball,EPC Rugby etc.),as well extension deals through decade-end with ATP Tour & Olympique Lyonnais.Airline operating costs—including ten-percent-lower average fuel price—grew modestly inline overall flight increases.Fuel remained largest expense item at thirty-percent share.Total airline EBITDA reachedAED19 .7billion( US $5 .4billion ),up three-percent over last comparable period.External catering sales grew thirteen-percent while meals uplifted ticked upward two-percent against same timeframe previously reviewed.Finally,the group completed full acquisition of U.S.-based Air Ventures LLC securing entire ownership interests therein.
