By Ayomide Otitoju
Emirates Group has announced a historic performance in its 2024–25 annual report, achieving record-breaking figures across profit, revenue, EBITDA, and cash reserves, solidifying its status as the most profitable aviation group globally.
For the financial year ending March 31, 2025, the Group posted a record profit before tax of $6.2 billion—an 18% increase from the previous year—on record revenue of $39.6 billion. The Group’s cash assets surged to $14.6 billion, up 13% year-on-year.
Flagship airline Emirates contributed significantly, posting a pre-tax profit of $5.8 billion, up 20%, and revenue of $34.9 billion. The airline also reported its highest-ever cash balance at $13.5 billion, a 16% increase from the previous year, positioning it as the world’s most profitable airline.
In line with its performance, the Group declared a $1.6 billion dividend to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD). This marks the first fiscal year in which the UAE’s 9% corporate tax, introduced in 2023, was applied—resulting in a post-tax profit of $5.6 billion.
Chairman and CEO, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, attributed the success to long-term strategic planning and the visionary leadership of Dubai. “We’ve focused on delivering value, investing in people, and maintaining operational excellence,” he said. “This year, we’ve raised the bar once again.”
The Emirates Group invested $3.8 billion in aircraft, technology, facilities, and partnerships during the period. Its global workforce rose 9% to a record 121,223 employees.
Looking ahead, Emirates plans to expand its fleet with 16 Airbus A350s and four Boeing 777 freighters in 2025–26, while dnata continues to grow its ground handling operations with new facilities in Amsterdam, Dubai, and Erbil. Emirates’ network now spans 148 cities in 80 countries, with capacity reaching 60 billion ATKMs, nearing pre-pandemic levels.
