The Emirates Group has announced its strongest financial results ever for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, posting a record pre-tax profit of AED 22.7 billion (US$ 6.2 billion), marking an 18% increase compared to the previous year. The Group’s total revenue climbed 6% to AED 145.4 billion (US$ 39.6 billion), while cash reserves rose by 13% to reach AED 53.4 billion (US$ 14.6 billion).

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) also hit a new high of AED 42.2 billion (US$ 11.5 billion), reflecting strong operational efficiency.

At the forefront, Emirates airline delivered a pre-tax profit of AED 21.2 billion (US$ 5.8 billion), up 20%, alongside record revenues of AED 127.9 billion (US$ 34.9 billion). The airline’s cash holdings increased by 16% to AED 49.7 billion (US$ 13.5 billion). Emirates expanded its route network to 148 cities across 80 countries, introducing new destinations such as Bogotá and Madagascar, while resuming flights to major cities including Phnom Penh, Lagos, Adelaide, and Edinburgh.

The carrier enhanced services to 21 destinations and strengthened its global connectivity through 33 codeshare and 118 interline agreements, providing access to over 1,750 cities worldwide. Passenger and cargo capacity grew by 4% to 60.0 billion Available Ton Kilometers (ATKMs), nearing pre-pandemic levels. The fleet expanded with the addition of Airbus A350 aircraft, bringing the total to 260 planes, with an average fleet age of 10.7 years and a substantial order backlog to support future growth.

Dnata, the Group’s aviation services division, also posted solid gains, recording a pre-tax profit of AED 1.6 billion (US$ 430 million), a 2% increase, and revenues up 10% to AED 21.1 billion (US$ 5.8 billion). The division’s cash reserves stood at AED 3.7 billion (US$ 1 billion).

This fiscal year was the first affected by the UAE’s newly implemented corporate tax, resulting in a 9% tax charge and a net profit after tax of AED 20.5 billion (US$ 5.6 billion). The Emirates Group declared a dividend payout of AED 6.0 billion (US$ 1.6 billion) to its sole shareholder, the Investment Corporation of Dubai. Additionally, employees will benefit from a record bonus equivalent to 22 weeks’ salary.

Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum attributed the Group’s exceptional performance to strong leadership, a resilient business model, and Dubai’s dynamic economic environment. He highlighted plans to reinvest profits into enhancing customer experience, employee welfare, and technological advancements to maintain the Group’s competitive edge.

Emirates’ ongoing network expansion, operational excellence, and premium service focus have solidified its status as the world’s most profitable airline and positioned the Emirates Group as the leading global aviation group for the 2024-25 financial year.

Qatar Airways has made aviation history with a landmark $96 billion agreement to acquire up to 210 Boeing widebody jets-the largest aircraft order ever for both the airline and Boeing. Announced during President Trump’s visit to Doha alongside His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, the deal cements Qatar Airways’ position as a global aviation powerhouse.

The historic order includes 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, setting a new record as the largest Dreamliner purchase in Boeing’s history, and 30 Boeing 777-9 aircraft, with options for 50 more 787 and 777X jets. This strategic fleet expansion underscores Qatar Airways’ commitment to operating the cleanest, youngest, and most efficient fleet in the skies, meeting surging global travel demand while enhancing passenger comfort and sustainability.

In tandem, Qatar Airways signed a sweeping agreement with GE Aerospace for more than 400 engines-including 60 GE9X and 260 GEnx engines, plus options and spares-to power its next-generation Boeing 777-9 and 787 fleets. This marks the largest widebody engine order in GE Aerospace history, further reinforcing the airline’s focus on efficiency and reliability.

Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer hailed the agreements as “a critical next step” in the airline’s growth journey, stating, “We’re not simply chasing scale; we’re building strength that will allow us to continue to deliver our unmatched products and customer experiences.” Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Stephanie Pope echoed this sentiment, calling the order “record-breaking” and expressing pride in the ongoing partnership with Qatar Airways.

With more than 150 Boeing jets already in operation, this mega-order will make Qatar Airways the largest Dreamliner operator in the Middle East and solidify its status as a leader in global aviation innovation and service. The airline, which has been named World’s Best Airline by Skytrax a record eight times, continues to invest in its future, ensuring passengers experience the ultimate in comfort, efficiency, and connectivity.

As Qatar Airways charts a course for the future, these historic deals with Boeing and GE Aerospace promise to keep the airline soaring above the competition-connecting the world, one record-breaking flight at a time.

On May 12, Qatar Airways flight QR-289, an Airbus A330-300 registered A7-AEO, encountered a hydraulic fluid leak after landing at Václav Havel Airport Prague, causing the aircraft to stop on runway 12 and remain there for about 30 minutes before being towed off. The green hydraulic fluid spill led to the closure of the runway for approximately one hour while cleanup crews worked, resulting in the cancellation of the return flight QR-290 and widespread disruptions to other incoming flights.

The incident forced several flights to divert: Hainan Airlines flight HU7937 from Beijing rerouted to Berlin before eventually landing in Prague, while SunExpress and Finnair flights from Antalya and Helsinki respectively were diverted to Dresden Airport in Germany, experiencing delays of up to nearly two hours. This cascade of diversions underscored the significant operational impact of the hydraulic leak.

In addition to the Prague event, Qatar Airways faced another technical issue on the same day when flight QR-243 from Doha to Istanbul declared an emergency due to an engine problem during descent, safely landing after holding for 45 minutes. A separate April 28 incident involved a brake system failure on flight QR-528 from Doha to Chennai, which also landed safely after emergency procedures were enacted.

These incidents highlight recent technical challenges faced by Qatar Airways, emphasizing the critical importance of prompt response and safety protocols in aviation operations.

The government has announced a second attempt to close Runway 28/10 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport starting June 15 for a crucial upgrade of its landing instruments, aiming to avoid the severe disruptions witnessed during April’s failed closure. The shutdown will last approximately 90 days, during which airlines have been advised to proactively plan flight cancellations to prevent the operational chaos that unfolded earlier this year.

In April, the closure intended to upgrade the runway’s Instrument Landing System (ILS) to CAT III B standards-which would improve landing capabilities in Delhi’s frequent fog-was aborted after just a few weeks due to overwhelming flight delays and scheduling turmoil. The airport, handling around 1,400 flights daily, struggled to operate efficiently on its remaining three runways, compounded by uncoordinated airline schedules and adverse weather.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu convened a high-level meeting with all stakeholders, including airline representatives, the Airports Authority of India, and Delhi International Airport Ltd, emphasizing the need for meticulous advance planning. Airlines have been instructed to prepare for cancellations and propose measures to minimize passenger inconvenience during the runway’s three-month closure.

The timing of the closure has been strategically chosen to coincide with a relatively lean travel period following the vacation season, aiming to reduce the impact on passengers. This proactive approach reflects lessons learned from the April disruption, where the absence of a regulatory mechanism to enforce flight reductions exacerbated delays and confusion.

Officials remain committed to completing the runway upgrade, which will extend the runway lighting from 650 to 900 meters and enhance landing safety in low-visibility conditions, ultimately improving Delhi’s airport capacity and operational resilience.

Passengers and airlines are urged to stay informed and cooperate fully to ensure a smoother transition during this essential infrastructure enhancement phase.

International Airlines Group (IAG), the powerhouse behind British Airways, is making aviation history with a record-setting order for 71 long-haul aircraft from industry giants Airbus and Boeing-a move set to reshape the skies over the next decade.

British Airways will be the primary beneficiary, taking delivery of 44 of these new jets, including a substantial fleet of 32 Boeing 787-10s. These fuel-efficient aircraft are poised to become the backbone of BA’s future long-haul operations, complementing the 13 787-10s already in service. The remainder of the order will be distributed among IAG’s other leading airlines: Iberia, Aer Lingus, and LEVEL.

This landmark deal, one of the largest widebody aircraft orders ever placed by a European airline group, follows 18 aircraft ordered earlier in March and caps off 18 months of intense negotiations with both manufacturers. Despite the announcement coming on the heels of a new US-UK trade deal, IAG confirms that the agreement was not a direct result of trade negotiations.

The order is strategically split: one-third of the jets are earmarked for growth, while the rest will replace aging aircraft-especially British Airways’ 21-year-old Boeing 777-200ERs-and phase out short-term leases at LEVEL. Deliveries are scheduled from 2028 to 2033, with some aircraft, including A350s and 777-9s, arriving as early as 2027, pending shareholder approval in June.

British Airways’ new aircraft will feature the latest in passenger comfort and efficiency, though final cabin configurations are yet to be confirmed. The March orders also include six Airbus A350-1000s (for routes not requiring First Class) and six Boeing 777-9s, which will become BA’s largest twinjets once certified. The airline has also secured options for up to 10 additional Boeing 787s.

Powering this new fleet, General Electric engines will be installed on all Boeing aircraft, while Rolls-Royce engines will drive the Airbus jets.

Other IAG airlines will also benefit: 21 Airbus A330-900neos are set for Aer Lingus, Iberia, and LEVEL, supplementing the six A350-900s ordered for Iberia in March. The group has also retained purchase rights for 13 more A330-900neos.

IAG’s CEO, Luis Gallego, hailed the deal as a milestone in the group’s transformation, emphasizing its commitment to strengthening airline brands, enhancing customer experience, and driving long-term shareholder value. The news comes as IAG reported a robust 9.6% revenue growth in its latest quarterly results, reflecting strong demand across all markets, especially in premium cabins.

Meanwhile, Boeing is working to restore confidence and ramp up production following a turbulent 2024, aiming for 38 737 MAX jets per month. The arrival of these next-generation aircraft is expected to elevate the onboard experience, boost efficiency, and open up new long-haul destinations for IAG’s airlines.

With this bold move, IAG is not just renewing its fleet-it’s charting a course for the future of European aviation, promising passengers “Skybound Dreams, Earth Unseen” as they soar toward new horizons.

Pakistan has officially reopened its airspace to all commercial, cargo, and military flights after a period of heightened conflict with India, marking a significant move toward regional stability. The closure, which lasted several days, was implemented in response to a sharp escalation in hostilities that saw both nations exchange missile strikes and conduct military operations along their shared border.

The airspace shutdown caused widespread disruption, with hundreds of flights canceled or rerouted, affecting not only travelers between Pakistan and India but also international airlines whose routes traverse South Asian airspace.

The breakthrough came after a ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10, 2025, following intense diplomatic mediation involving the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations. The ceasefire called for an immediate halt to all military activities and the reactivation of communication hotlines between the two countries’ militaries.

Officials in Islamabad stated that the decision to reopen the airspace was made in coordination with civil aviation authorities and after ensuring that security risks had subsided.

Airlines have welcomed the announcement, as the closure had forced many to take costly and time-consuming detours, leading to increased fuel consumption and operational expenses. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other regional carriers have begun restoring their regular flight schedules, though authorities caution that it may take several days for operations to return to normal as aircraft and crews are repositioned.

The airspace reopening is expected to have a positive impact on the economies of both countries, restoring vital trade and travel links and allowing for the resumption of business and tourism activities. Analysts note that while the ceasefire and reopening are encouraging developments, the underlying issues-particularly the dispute over Kashmir-remain unresolved.

Nevertheless, the move is being seen as a hopeful sign that both nations are willing to take steps toward de-escalation and dialogue, with the international community urging continued engagement to build on this progress and prevent future crises.