Emirates eyes global expansion, further US routes

The man in charge of the Middle East's biggest airline, Emirates, said on Tuesday he is pressing ahead with a global expansion that could include more US routes despite opposition from American carriers who accuse the airline of having an unfair advantage.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates' chairman and CEO, said in an interview that several American cities have asked Emirates to launch routes connecting them with its ever-expanding hub in Dubai.

He declined to name the potential destinations, citing competitive reasons and confidentiality agreements, but said the Dubai government-backed carrier is looking to accommodate the requests ‘in a very short period of time’.

"We always learn we cannot stop, and this is really the direction of the UAE government and the Dubai government. The minute you stop, somebody will pass you," he told The Associated Press in Dubai. "In terms of expansion, we will continue."

Emirates plans to release its annual financial results Thursday. Sheikh Ahmed suggested that international currency fluctuations have offset some gains from lower oil prices but he said that overall "it's been an excellent year."

The airline is looking to increase services "on every continent" — it operates multiple routes into all except Antarctica — both by adding additional routes and increasing frequencies on more than 140 existing ones, he said.

The carrier recently announced plans for daily flights to Orlando, its 10th US passenger destination. That should begin September 1.

US airlines for years quietly have criticised the rapid growth of Emirates and its smaller Gulf competitors, accusing them of poaching passengers and unfairly benefiting from government assistance.

The dispute has been heating up, with American, Delta and United releasing a report outlining what they say are billions of dollars in subsidies to Gulf carriers and pressing federal officials to reconsider treaties that allow them to fly to the US.

Emirates has vigorously denied receiving state subsidies and says it is planning to respond in detail to the claims.

"I think we're dealing with the allegations," Sheikh Ahmed said. "We have been transparent."

Emirates says it carried more than 2.3 million passengers to and from the US last year.

The carrier plans to take on 27 new aircraft this year alone and is recruiting thousands of new staff to fill new positions and replace those left vacant by departing employees.

It is also planning to roll out new offerings for the lucky few who fly in first-class, Sheikh Ahmed said.

"Whatever you do for today is not good for tomorrow, and this is why we have to keep on moving," he said.

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