Example of bringing people closer connected and

example of bringing people closer, connected and encourage them to make a positive impact on
society” (Emirates, 2012; Kasi, n.d.).
Emirates International Operations
Emirates is, in fact, an international operating from its hub, Dubai International Airport
with no domestic flights due to the small size of the United Arab Emirates. “Emirates Airline is a
global airline that serves 154 destinations across 81 countries on six continents” (Emirates
Group, 2016 p, 2). From its hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, “operating the world’s largest
fleets of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, from its hub in Dubai, United Arab Emirates”

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(The EK Source, n.d.). It has a particularly strong presence in the Southeast Asian region, which
connects Dubai with more international destinations in the area than its Middle Eastern
competitors through the hub and spoke routing method (Emirates Group, 2016 p, 2; Anne, 2014;
The EK Source, n.d.).
Figure 7. Emirates; Route Map as of April 2015, retrieved from
Emirates inaugural flight, EK 600 was from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Karachi,
Pakistan on 25th October 1985. By the late 80’s, Emirates had increased its foothold in the
Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern markets by adding Sri Lanka, Jordan, Bangladesh, and
Egypt to its destinations. On the 6th of July 1987 the first flight to the European continent took
place, by the first aircraft bought, an Airbus A310 with registration A6-EKA when the Dubai-
London Gatwick route embarked upon using Emirates, In the same year, Emirates added Male
(Maldives) and Frankfurt (Germany) via Istanbul (Turkey). At the end of 1985, Emirates was
serving 11 destinations including an expansion into the Far East with flights into Singapore

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(Singapore), Manila (Philippines) and Bangkok (Thailand) (Khaishgi, 2015; The EK Source,
n.d.).
During the first Gulf War and the global oil boom, With the American and European
carriers seizing operations towards the Middle East and Southeast Asia during the war, Emirates
experienced tremendous expansion and growth of their destination reach. Emirates found itself in
a prime location to capitalize on the political instability in the Middle East. Emirates profited by
acting as a central hub and providing flights and service between the East and West. Numerous
destinations added within this period (Al-Nakhi, 1993).
Code Sharing and Alliances
According to Emirates, alliances lead to higher ticket fares, affect their capacity to swiftly
respond to opposing market forces and leave the customer confused on what airline they will be
flying. Emirates briefly contemplated joining Star Alliance in 2000, but eventually decided not to
align itself. Emirates is not a member of any of the global alliances namely Oneworld, SkyTeam,
or Star Alliance. According to Richard Vaughn, Emirates’ senior vice-president commercial
operations, Emirates did not believe in alliances. He further went on to say “we intend to stay as
an independent airline and do things our way” (Reece, 2000; Heasley, 2010, para. 5).