Emirates carries 8.7 million passengers in July and August as seat capacity recovers to 93%

Dubai: Emirates’ operational and commercial performance indicators for July and August showed continued strong demand for travel, with more than 8.7 million passenger movements recorded during the two months. The carrier recovered about 93% of its seat capacity in August, coinciding with the return of 98% of its route network to operation, indicating an accelerating recovery in global travel. Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, said that demand levels during July and August were strong, confirming that the carrier continues to move closer to resuming full operations across its various destinations, supported by improved international travel. Kazim noted that the Chinese market has also recorded a strong recovery, with Emirates airlines resuming operations in this market, explaining that the six destinations served by the carrier in China have achieved high levels of demand and occupancy rates. As part of its efforts to enhance passenger confidence, Emirates has taken a range of flexible measures, including facilitating booking options and allowing flight schedule changes, along with insurance solutions that provide greater peace of mind to travellers, thus supporting the continuity of tourism and international travel. Kazim stressed that supporting Dubai’s position as a global travel and tourism destination is a continuous focus of the carrier’s strategy, through marketing campaigns in various markets in cooperation with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and by utilising communication channels and customer relationship management to reach travellers and enhance the emirate’s appeal. He added that Dubai’s integrated aviation system, along with ongoing investments in infrastructure, transport networks and airports, and the international relations enjoyed by the UAE, have contributed to supporting the sector’s ability to overcome challenges and accelerate the recovery of operations. He noted that the winter season in Dubai represents an additional opportunity to boost demand, given the rich agenda of events and activities hosted by the emirate, which are expected to support visitor flows and tourism and aviation activity. Regarding the fleet, Kazim revealed that Emirates has received more than 17 new aircraft since the beginning of the year, including 10 Airbus A350s and 7 Boeing 777s, with the carrier scheduled to operate A350s to 36 cities around the world by next December. At the same time, the carrier continues to invest in the passenger experience on the ground, with plans to launch new lounges in Manchester, Frankfurt and Munich, along with projects in Mauritius, Istanbul and Dubai. It has also expanded its presence in the retail sector to 20 stores under its new brand, with plans to add 40 stores in the future. Kazim stressed that the Arabian Travel Market is a key platform for strengthening partnerships and exploring new opportunities, with a focus on expanding joint tourism initiatives, reaching specialised segments of travellers, and developing long-term strategic partnerships between airlines, destinations, and tourism partners. These indicators reflect Dubai’s continued pivotal role in global travel, driven by advanced infrastructure, a vast aviation network, and an integrated tourism system, while Emirates continues to expand its operational capacity to meet growing demand.