Emirates H1 performance better than last year: Clark
dubai — Emirates, the Middle East’s largest airline, has had a better first half in the current financial year than the same period a year ago when it reported a 75 per cent decline in profits.
“The six months were a lot better than this time last year,” Emirates airline President Tim Clark told reporters at an aviation security conference in Dubai.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group, opened the ‘AVSEC Global 2017’ international aviation security symposium in Dubai. Sheikh Ahmed also inaugurated the international aviation security exhibition along the sidelines of the symposium.
Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates airline delivered the opening address. Other keynote speakers included Lord Callanan, UK minister for aviation as well as Mr K C Singh, former Indian Ambassador to the UAE. The conference will conclude today.
The state-owned, Dubai-based carrier is expected to report its results next month for the six months ended on September 30. Results a year ago were affected by a strong dollar and tougher competition as it filled a lower percentage of seats on a year-on-year basis.
This year, Emirates has had to contend with travel restrictions imposed by the United States which mostly impacted carriers in the Middle East, though have since largely been lifted. The airline cut frequencies on some US flights in a response to those restrictions weakening passenger demand.
Clark said demand had fallen by around 15 per cent to 18 per cent on US flights, though the airline had just had “a very robust summer” there.
— With inputs from Reuters