“We stay agile to respond to the moment, but we never stop building for the future”
a lot more airports, airlines, regulators and advocacy groups to collaborate on standards, policies, removing barriers, and implementing concrete actions to make travel more accessible and inclusive. Q: What role does sustainability play in Emirates’ fleet, operations and partnerships as the airline pursues long-term growth? We continue to invest resources and work with partners to reduce our impact on the environment. Part of this is investing in newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, and operational efficiency initiatives to mitigate emissions. Our Green Ops programme, running since 2016, uses pilot training, data analytics, optimised routings, reduced taxiing and other techniques to cut fuel burn and emissions. We are also exploring ways to integrate sustainable aviation fuel into our operations across a number of markets, and are partnering with ENOC in Dubai to look at viable supply pathways. On board, our First & Business Class premium loungewear is made from responsibly sourced modal fibre; our Premium Economy and Economy amenity kits use bio based material; children’s toys are made with at least 50% recycled content, and we continue efforts to minimise single use items. Our closed loop recycling programme takes our old or damaged plastic food trays and dishes for reprocessing into new mealware items. Materials retired while aircraft are being retrofitted are repurposed through upcycling initiatives run entirely in-house by our engineering team
in Dubai, who transform them into handcrafted, artisanal products rather than waste. These include Aircrafted by Emirates, a limited-edition collection of luggage, bags and accessories made from reclaimed cabin materials. Our Aircrafted KIDS programme serves a dual purpose, supporting upcycling efforts through diverting materials from landfill while supporting communities. Over the last two years, old Economy Class fabrics have been converted into handmade backpacks, with more than 4,000 donated to underprivileged children across 11 countries. Q: In a more fragmented global landscape, how can the airline continue to connect not only destinations, but economies, communities and opportunities? Our aim is to be the airline of choice for the world. Today, Emirates is the largest airline in the world by international traffic. Every new route or added frequency doesn’t just add a destination. It multiplies the number of ways people and goods can connect through our network, generating value for economies and communities. Airline operations have a direct impact on job creation, not only within our own supply chain like catering and ground Refining the guest experience is a priority
handling but also supports jobs in the wider economy like tourism, hospitality and retail. D33 gives us a clear north star for where we grow that connectivity next: deeper into Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, alongside our existing strength across Europe and the Americas. And we’ll keep strengthening our codeshare and interline partnerships to build on the network position we already have. Q: Long term, where are you most focused on pushing boundaries, and what excites you most about the airline's next chapter? The years ahead for Dubai and Emirates are going to be exciting. The 777X arrives from 2027 and opens up more opportunities for network growth and product innovation. The opening of Al Maktoum International (DWC) will ease capacity constraints – removing that false ceiling for traffic growth. We are excited about designing and building an airport from scratch, where we are putting in the kind of technology and efficiency that will be hard to retrofit into older infrastructure. All of that will firmly cement Dubai as the place through which the world most easily moves, visits, lives and invests, ultimately advancing our D33 aims.
Above: Emirates has launched its next-gen air- port lounges Emirates is the world’s first Autism Certified Airline
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