Salik posts AED 1.045 billion net profit for first nine months of 2026

Salik, the exclusive operator of toll gates in Dubai, today announced its financial results for the three-month and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2026. The company achieved total revenues exceeding AED 2.117 billion during the first nine months of 2026. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to AED 1.449 billion with an EBITDA margin of 68.5%, while net profit reached AED 1.045 billion during the period, representing a net profit margin of 49.4%. His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Salik, affirmed that the company's financial results during the first nine months of 2026 reflect the strength of its business model, its operational efficiency, and its ability to benefit from the rapid economic and urban growth witnessed by the Emirate of Dubai. He stated that the company’s financial performance demonstrates the strength of its financial position and the effectiveness of its strategy in achieving sustainable growth, enhancing shareholder returns, and consolidating its position as a leading manager of smart traffic toll systems. This, he noted, supports the efficiency of the mobility system and contributes to enhancing Dubai’s competitiveness and attractiveness for investment and business. His Excellency said that the results reflect high efficiency in managing operations and resources, as well as the ability to translate growth in operational activity into strong financial performance. He stressed that these indicators form a solid basis for continuing to implement the company’s strategy, investing in technical and operational capabilities, raising service efficiency, and enhancing its capacity to achieve sustainable long-term economic value for shareholders and partners. He added that Salik's future growth prospects are linked to Dubai's strong economic fundamentals, continued urban and population expansion, and the growth of commercial and tourism activities, alongside the accompanying rise in demand for advanced mobility solutions. He emphasised the Board of Directors' keenness to continue developing the work system, adopting digital solutions and smart technologies, and exploring opportunities to diversify revenue sources and enhance operational efficiency. These efforts align with future transformations in the transport and mobility sector and support the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 in consolidating the emirate's position as a leading global centre for economy, business, and investment. Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, CEO of Salik, said that the third quarter showed signs of improved performance. Revenues from toll fees increased by 5.2% compared to the previous quarter, while the annual decline rate narrowed from 16.5% to 7.3%, with total quarterly revenues reaching AED 705.3 million. The company also recorded a tangible improvement in cash flow generation, as free cash flow reached AED 494.6 million during the third quarter following a cash outflow in the second quarter, raising total free cash flow for the first nine months of 2026 to AED 1,045.6 million. He added that the company strengthened its financial position during the same period by reducing net debt by 4.0% since the beginning of the year to AED 4,606.9 million, while the leverage ratio reached 2.29 times—providing significant financial flexibility to continue implementing strategic priorities and achieving growth goals. He explained that Dubai’s long-term development plans provide a clear framework for continued expansion, particularly given projections that the emirate’s population will rise to 5.8 million by 2040. The Dubai Urban Plan 2040 includes the expansion of five urban centres, three of which are located near Salik toll gates on Sheikh Zayed Road. Al Haddad said that from an operational standpoint, mobility patterns have shown gradual improvement following the regional developments witnessed at the beginning of the year. The difference in the total number of trips—compared to the same period of the previous year—narrowed to 5.0% in the third quarter, down from 12.6% in the second quarter. Meanwhile, peak-time trip rates increased by 2.0% during the first nine months of the year compared to the same period last year, with September recording the busiest month for mobility since February. The total number of trips through Salik gates, including discounted trips, reached 577.8 million during the first nine months of 2026, representing an 8.1% year-on-year decrease compared to 628.4 million trips during the same period in 2025. During the third quarter of 2026, the number of trips reached 194 million—an increase of 4.0% compared to the second quarter—reflecting the gradual improvement in mobility patterns following the exceptional regional events that began in late February 2026. The total number of trips subject to tariff fees reached 419.3 million during the first nine months of 2026, a decrease of 10.9% compared to the same period in 2025