The Emirates Group reported a 3% increase in its workforce, reaching 124,927 employees as of September 30, 2025, to support expanding operations and business activities.
Both Emirates Airline and dnata are continuing recruitment drives to meet future staffing needs.
Strong financial performance
The group also posted a record profit before tax of Dhs12.2 billion (US$ 3.3 billion) for the first half of 2025-26, marking the fourth consecutive year of record half-year profitability. Profit after tax rose 13% to Dhs10.6 billion (US$ 2.9 billion). Group revenue reached Dhs75.4 billion (US$ 20.6 billion), up 4% from the same period last year, while EBITDA increased 3% to Dhs21.1 billion (US$ 5.7 billion).
The group ended the half-year with Dhs56 billion (US$ 15.2 billion) in cash, supporting business needs such as aircraft deliveries and debt servicing. A final dividend of Dhs2 billion (US$ 545 million) was paid to the government of Dubai for the 2024-25 financial year.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: “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.”
Emirates airline growth
Emirates expanded its network with new destinations including Danang, Siem Reap, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, while adding 28 weekly flights to cities such as Johannesburg, Rome, and Riyadh. The airline received five new A350 aircraft and rolled out 23 aircraft from its US$5 billion cabin retrofit programme.
By September, Emirates Premium Economy was available on flights to 61 cities. Passenger traffic rose 4% to 27.8 million, while cargo volumes for Emirates SkyCargo increased 4% to 1.25 million tonnes.
dnata expansion
dnata achieved record half-year revenue of Dhs11.7 billion (US$ 3.2 billion), up 13% from last year. Profit before tax rose 17% to Dhs843 million (US$ 230 million), while profit after tax increased 22% to Dhs697 million (US$ 190 million).
The company expanded its airport services, catering, and travel divisions, including new operations at Rome Fiumicino Airport. dnata handled 1.59 million tonnes of cargo, a 3% increase, and uplifted 60 million meals globally. The travel division reported transactional value growth of 9% compared to the same period last year.
Sheikh Ahmed added: “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.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
