Emirates, in tandem with Dubai and the UAE, has grown to become a leading player on the global stage

I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the dedicated men and women working at Emirates Airline

Quote From Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum on Emirates’ 30th anniversary

25 October 2015

“Today we celebrate the 30^th anniversary of Emirates Airline. From humble beginnings, Emirates, in tandem with Dubai and the UAE, has grown to become a leading player on the global stage.

Without the daring vision and support of HH Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whose brainchild it was for Dubai to set up its own airline back in 1985, none of this would have come to pass. From day one, Shaikh Mohammad’s expectations for Dubai’s aviation industry have been clear, driving us — the airline, the airport, and the entire ecosystem — to be world-class and number one globally.

As we look back on Emirates’ and Dubai’s achievements in the aviation sector, we know these are just milestones on a journey and we still have a long way to go. Our successes to date only motivate us to strive for more.

The countdown for Expo 2020 has begun, where Dubai expects to welcome 20 million visitors and generate Dh300 billion from tourism activities. Emirates will play a vital role to reach this goal. Today Emirates connects Dubai to more than 140 cities in 6 continents. With each new flight we add to our global network, we exponentially increase flight connections between cities, and flight choices for our customers. We have 267 aircraft on order worth $128 billion [Dh470 billion]. These new aircraft are not only for fleet expansion, but are also replacing our older aircraft so that Emirates can always provide the best possible flying experience. By 2020, we expect to fly 70 million passengers on a fleet of 300 aircraft. To ensure we stay ahead of the game, we will also continue to invest in new technologies, in developing our products and services, and in nurturing our talent pool.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to HH Shaikh Mohammad for his continuous support to Emirates and to the UAE’s aviation industry. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the dedicated men and women working at Emirates airline. From over 160 countries, they have come to join us in building a global airline that provides travellers and customers around the world with the best possible experience. It is their passion and hard work that will enable us to grow our leadership in the aviation industry.”

— Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates airline and Group