Emirates Group airline.
BY SAM ALFAN.
The Emirates Group today announced its 28thconsecutive year of profit and steady business expansion, ending the year with record profits, and in a strong position despite global and operational challenges during this period.
During the 2015-16 financial years, both Emirates and dnata achieved new capacity and profit milestones, as the Group continued to expand its global footprint, and strengthen its business through strategic investments.
In its annual report, Emirates Group posted an AED 8.2 billion (US$ 2.2 billion) profit for the financial year ending 31 March 2016, up 50% from last year.
The Group’s revenue reached AED 93 billion (US$ 25.3 billion), a decrease of 3% over last year’s results, and the Group’s cash balance increased strongly to AED 23.5 billion (US$ 6.4 billion).
His Highness (H.H.) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “Emirates and dnata delivered record profits, solid business results, and continued to grow throughout 2015-16. Against an unfavourable currency situation which eroded our revenues and profits, an uncertain global economic environment dogged by weak consumer and investor sentiment, as well as ongoing socio-political instability in many regions around the world, the Group’s performance is testament to the success of our business model and strategies.”
“Our ongoing investments to develop our people and to enhance business performance, enables us to react with agility to the new challenges and opportunities that every year brings.
In 2015-16, the Group collectively invested over AED 17.3 billion (US$ 4.7 billion) in new aircrafts and equipment, the acquisition of companies, modern facilities, the latest technologies, and staff initiatives.
The Group’s employee base across its more than 80 subsidiaries and companies increased by 13% to over 95,000 a strong representation of over 160 different nationalities.
Emirates Chairman also said that they expect that the low oil prices will continue to be a double-edged sword – a boon for our operating costs, but a bane for global business and consumer confidence.
HH Sheikh Ahmed said that the group enters a new financial year with confidence, backed by a robust balance sheet, solid track record, diverse global portfolio, and international talent pool.
In line with the overall profit, the Group declared a dividend of AED 2.5 billion (US$ 681 million) to the Investment Corporation of Dubai.
