Emirates airline 40th anniversary marks an extraordinary journey from two leased aircraft to a world-leading fleet connecting 152 cities and serving over 53 million passengers yearly.
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Emirates airline 40th anniversary marks an extraordinary journey from two leased aircraft to a world-leading fleet connecting 152 cities and serving over 53 million passengers yearly.
Emirates airline 40th anniversary marks an extraordinary journey from two leased aircraft to a world-leading fleet connecting 152 cities and serving over 53 million passengers yearly. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, praised the airline as “a bridge that connects people, cultures, and dreams,” spotlighting its vital role in Dubai and the UAE’s rise as a global hub of opportunity and ambition.
Founded on October 25, 1985, Emirates’ first flight launched from Dubai to Karachi and Mumbai. Built on a vision of ambition and innovation, its growth has been exponential: more than 860 million passengers have flown Emirates over its four decades, and its all-widebody fleet now exceeds 230 aircraft, with more than 300 on order. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, underscored this legacy, describing Emirates as “a national pride… connecting us directly with 152 cities, transporting people and carrying their dreams and ambitions to Dubai and beyond”.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, thanked Dubai’s leadership for their trust and vision. He credited the airline’s 100,000-plus employees for making Emirates an “unprecedented Emirati success story,” ensuring that Dubai remains a forefront aviation and business destination.
To commemorate the milestone, Emirates has retrofitted its Boeing 777 fleet with new Premium Economy cabins—unveiled at its very first international destination, Karachi. Continuous innovation, visionary leadership, and global ambition continue to define Emirates as it enters its fifth decade, embodying excellence and uniting people worldwide.
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