Emirates Group reported a 66% drop in half-year profit for fiscal 2026-27 as regional conflict, airspace restrictions and higher fuel costs affected its airline and ground services businesses during the six months ending Sept. 30, 2026.
The Dubai-based aviation group posted a profit before tax of AED 4.1 billion ($1.1 billion), down from the previous year’s record performance. Revenue declined 12% to AED 66.2 billion ($18 billion), compared with AED 75.4 billion ($20.6 billion) a year earlier.
After income tax, the group’s profit stood at AED 3.6 billion ($1 billion), also down 66%.
Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the business faced unprecedented regional challenges and higher operating costs, although passenger demand remained firm and cargo operations contributed to revenue.
“Against unprecedented regional challenges and high fuel prices, the Group has delivered a profit before tax of AED 4.1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion),” he said. “Customer demand held firm and our cargo operations made a strong contribution, keeping revenue and cash levels healthy even as global jet fuel prices doubled against the same period last year, impacting our costs and profitability.”
The group ended September with AED 54.1 billion ($14.7 billion) in cash, compared with AED 59.6 billion ($16.2 billion) on March 31.
Emirates passenger traffic falls 22%
Emirates airline recorded a profit before tax of AED 3.7 billion ($1 billion), down 68% from the same period last year. Revenue fell 13% to AED 56.9 billion ($15.5 billion).
Intermittent airspace restrictions and closures across the region disrupted operations, while government travel advisories affected travel patterns. By Sept. 30, the airline had restored 91% of its pre-disruption network, serving 150 airports in 78 countries and territories through its Dubai hub.
Emirates carried 21.8 million passengers during the six-month period, a 22% decline year on year. Passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometers, fell 25%, while the average passenger seat factor dropped to 72% from 79.5% a year earlier.
Its cargo business provided some support. Emirates SkyCargo transported 1.2 million tonnes, down 1%, but cargo revenue increased 52% as regional conflict reduced available airfreight capacity and marine transport disruptions pushed some shippers toward air cargo.
The airline received nine Airbus A350 aircraft and completed cabin refurbishments on 12 aircraft, including nine Airbus A380s and three Boeing 777s. Its Starlink installation program equipped 36 additional aircraft with high-speed inflight Wi-Fi, bringing the total number of installed aircraft to 57 by the end of September.
dnata profit drops 51%
Ground services and travel services provider dnata reported a 51% decline in profit before tax to AED 410 million ($112 million). Revenue fell 7% to AED 11 billion ($3 billion), reflecting lower volumes in some of its businesses in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
Its profit after tax was AED 309 million ($84 million), down 56% year on year.
During the period, dnata signed several multiyear agreements, including a cargo partnership with Silk Way Group in Singapore and inflight catering contracts with Cathay Pacific at airports in the UK and the United States. It also opened an integrated command center in Dubai to support its cargo operations.
The group’s workforce declined 2% from March to 128,237 employees as of Sept. 30, although Emirates and dnata continued recruitment activities.
Sheikh Ahmed said the group would continue investing in its fleet, products and services despite the operating challenges.
“We enter the second half of our 2026-27 financial year with measured optimism,” he said, adding that the group would monitor costs and geopolitical developments while maintaining its focus on safety, quality and customer satisfaction.
In the Philippines, Emirates said it operates 32 weekly flights connecting Manila, Cebu and Clark to Dubai. The airline has served the country for 36 years and has expanded its Travel Rehearsal program to Cebu and Clark to help neurodiverse children and their families prepare for air travel.
Full disclosure: All news articles published on the TechSabado website are written by human journalists, unless otherwise specified. Final text editing is also performed by human editors, with artificial intelligence (AI) used only to assist with additional grammar and style guide corrections..
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