Airline Profile: Emirates
Part of the government-owned Emirates Group and the national flag carrier, Emirates serves an expanding global network of over 100 cities in more than 60 countries throughout Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Asia-Pacific region.
History
Incorporated by an Emiri Decree issued on 26 June 1985 as the international airline of the United Arab Emirates, operations began with flights to Bombay, Delhi and Karachi. European destinations were added in July 1987, Far Eastern services in June 1990 and Australian services in June 1996. Services to North America were launched in 2004.
In April 1998 Emirates acquired a stake in Air Lanka (renamed Sri Lankan) at the same time as contracting to manage the airline for ten years. The management contract with Sri Lankan was completed in March 2008.
Emirates became the first carrier to serve six continents non-stop from a single hub when South American services were introduced in October 2007.
Fleet
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