Emirates to remain profitable this year, to continue expansion

Middle East’s leading carrier Emirates recently disclosed that it will continue to remain profitable this year. The airline also said that it will operate more Emirates flights with its expansion strategy firmly in place despite high jet fuel prices and currencies fluctuations.
 
Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ Executive Vice-President for Passenger Sales, said that the airline is constantly monitoring currencies and increasing oil price. He said that Emirates had been profitable for the last 24 years and is looking to keep its growth strategy intact.

In keeping with its strategy to enter new markets, the airline will be adding 31 new jets and 200 pilots in 2012.

Emirates in a statement said that it will launch flights from its Dubai hub to Lisbon from July 9, 2012.

The airline while disclosing its results said that its net income declined 61 percent to $630 million (2.31 billion dirhams) in the month ended March 31, 2012. The airline, however, failed to provide an outlook for the current fiscal year.

Currently, Emirates operates flights serving 123 destinations across the world.