The Emirates Group Airlines announced a record pre-tax profit of $6.6 billion for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, despite facing challenges and volatility from the Middle East war towards the end of the fiscal year.
On 15 May, reporters noted that the Emirates Group, operating Emirates Airlines, disclosed its 2025–2026 annual results, setting new records in profit, revenue, and cash status amid challenges and fluctuations caused by the Middle East war at the fiscal year's end on 31 March. Pre-tax profit (PBT) was $6.6 billion, up 7% from the prior year, with a pre-tax margin of 16.2%. Group revenue totaled $41 billion, a 3% increase year-on-year. Cash assets reached a record $16.2 billion, up 12%. EBITDA was $11.2 billion, reflecting the group's strong operational and profitability capabilities.
Meanwhile, Emirates Airlines maintained its position as the world's most profitable airline, setting new records in profit, revenue, and cash assets: record pre-tax profit (PBT) of $6.2 billion, up 7%, with a 17.4% pre-tax margin. Total revenue hit a record $35.7 billion, a 2% increase from the previous year. Cash assets reached a record $15 billion, a 10% rise compared to the same period last year.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates and the Emirates Group, stated that despite significant challenges during the final month of the fiscal year, this year's strong performance underscores the stability and resilience of the Emirates Group's business model, founded on safety, excellence, innovation, personnel, and partnerships. During the 2025–2026 fiscal year, the Emirates Group invested $4.9 billion in new aircraft, facilities, equipment, and advanced technology to support the group's long-term growth plans.Emiratescontinued to expand its global network throughout the past year by launching four new destinations: Da Nang, Hangzhou, Siem Reap, and Shenzhen, while increasing frequencies on existing routes to meet growing travel demand. The airline's network now covers 152 cities across 80 countries worldwide.Emiratesalso expanded cooperation with airline partners through 32 codeshare agreements, including partnerships with 117 interline partners, offering more comprehensive travel options. Customers can connect to over 1,700 destinations beyond Emirates’ own network.connectivity(interline partners) to provide more extensive travel options, allowing customers to connect to over 1,700 destinations beyond the airline’s own network.
Furthermore,Emiratesstrengthened its fleet by receiving 15 Airbus A350 aircraft to enhance product offerings and travel experiences for passengers, including the popular Premium Economy Class and the latest in-flight entertainment systems. Currently, 19 Airbus A350s serve 21 global destinations. The airline also continues to invest in innovation to improve passenger experience. In November, Emirates announced a partnership with Starlink to install high-speed internet across its fleet. So far, 21 aircraft have been equipped with Starlink connectivity, providing faster and more reliable in-flight internet, with plans to expand installation to other aircraft.
In addition,Emiratesis continuing its $5 billion cabin refurbishment program, having completed major upgrades on 91 aircraft to support the latest products and travel experiences, including the popular Premium Economy seats. The airline also launched an Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com to assist passengers with diverse travel needs. Additionally, sensory aids and fidget toys are now available on flights for children and adults, alongside travel rehearsal activities at airports worldwide to help reduce anxiety for autistic children and their families by simulating travel procedures before actual flights.emirates.comto facilitate and support passengers with diverse travel needs, including introducing sensory aids and fidget toys on flights for both children and adults. The airline also organized travel rehearsals at airports worldwide to reduce travel anxiety for autistic children and their families by simulating pre-flight procedures.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum added that Emirates SkyCargo maintained strong performance throughout the year, transporting 2.4 million tons of cargo globally, a 3% increase over the previous year. The cargo division expanded its freighter network to 44 destinations by adding new routes to Bangkok, Budapest, Liege, and Tokyo Narita airports, while increasing frequencies on existing cargo routes to meet growing demand.
Looking ahead to 2026–2027, the business fundamentals remain strong. The Emirates Group’s proven business model remains unchanged, as does Dubai's role as a key global hub for trade, travel, and the economy. The commitment to becoming the world's best organization and creating value for people worldwide remains steadfast.