The Emirates Group has unveiled a huge reward package for its workforce, announcing a 20-week salary bonus after delivering record-breaking financial results for the fiscal year 2025–2026.
The aviation giant, which includes Emirates airline and its ground services arm dnata along with subsidiaries in cargo, catering, travel, and retail, posted its highest-ever performance figures.
The group reported a profit before tax of Dh24.4 billion, marking a 7% year-on-year increase. Revenue rose to Dh150.5 billion, up 3%, while cash reserves climbed 12% to Dh59.6 billion.
In a message of appreciation to staff, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group, praised employees for their dedication during a difficult period. He said March 2026 would be remembered for the challenges faced, but also for the resilience, commitment, and professionalism shown by the workforce, expressing deep gratitude for their efforts.
Despite operating in a “disruptive and challenging” environment, particularly amid regional aviation instability triggered by geopolitical tensions, the group managed to maintain strong performance. Industry conditions, which had been recovering after the pandemic, were temporarily affected, though operations are now gradually stabilising with airlines restoring routes and capacity.
Sheikh Ahmed also highlighted Dubai’s strategic advantage, noting that long-term infrastructure investment and a coordinated aviation ecosystem helped ensure the rapid establishment of safe air corridors for commercial flights.
The Emirates Group remains one of Dubai’s largest employers, with its workforce expanding by 8% to 130,919 employees. During the past year, it shortlisted 390,000 candidates from 3.5 million applications and hired more than 9,700 staff within the UAE.
A report by Oxford Economics, commissioned by Emirates and Dubai Airports, emphasized the aviation sector’s major contribution to Dubai’s economy. It noted that aviation supports over 630,000 jobs in the emirate, with projections suggesting an additional 185,000 jobs could be created by 2030.
Following recent disruptions, Emirates has resumed most of its operations and now serves 137 destinations across 72 countries spanning the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, West Asia, the GCC, the Far East, and Australasia.
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