• Emirates Group has today announced its half-year results, and has recorded a profit before tax of US$ 1.1 billion amid the ongoing storm of regional conflict in the Middle East and soaring fuel costs.
• According to the Group, this was due to ‘resilient demand’ and ‘strong cargo performance,’ as Emirates SkyCargo saw its revenues increase by 52 percent.
• The Group has stated this is ‘a remarkable performance against the disruption and high fuel prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region.’

Emirates Group has today announced its half-year results, and has recorded a profit before tax of US$ 1.1 billion amid the ongoing storm of regional conflict in the Middle East and soaring fuel costs. According to the Group, this was due to ‘resilient demand’ and ‘strong cargo performance,’ as Emirates SkyCargo saw its revenues increase by 52 percent.

Emirates SkyCargo transported 1.2 million tonnes in the first six months of the year, down by 1 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cargo revenue increased by 52 percent as the regional conflict reduced available airfreight capacity while concurrently pushing shippers to seek airfreight options due to marine transport disruptions.

In the first half of 2026-27, Emirates SkyCargo added capacity from 5 the new Boeing 777 freighters that were delivered, and the deployment of its first passenger-to-freighter converted aircraft.

The cargo division expanded its freighter network with two new destinations, Almaty and Zhengzhou; introduced dedicated freighter services to over 15 existing Emirates destinations; and increased frequencies to several key markets including in the Far East.

While profit before tax for the Emirates Group is down 66 percent compared to last year, with revenue down 12 percent, ‘revenue was buoyed by strong cargo performance; profits eroded by high fuel prices,’ explained the Group.

dnata recorded a profit of US$ 112 million, which was down comparatively less at 51 percent compared to 2025.

The Group has stated this is ‘a remarkable performance against the disruption and high fuel prices caused by the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region,’ and Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive, His Highness (HH) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, has credited the UAE Government for enabling the safe and smooth recovery of air transport activities.

“It has been a demanding six months, and once again our business model and our people stood up to the test. Against unprecedented regional challenges and high fuel prices, the Group has delivered a profit before tax of AED 4.1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion). Customer demand held firm and our cargo operations made a strong contribution, keeping revenue and cash levels healthy even as global jet fuel prices doubled against the same period last year, impacting our costs and profitability. I’d like to thank the UAE government for its decisive response and its co-ordination of all stakeholders to enable the safe resumption of air transport in the aftermath of military activity across the Gulf region. The government’s measures have also led to the easing of travel advisories to and through the UAE. This has allowed us to restore our operations with confidence and to keep serving our customers and communities,” His Highness (HH) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said.

“Throughout this time, we have not paused our investments. Emirates and dnata continue to commit significant resources to expand our fleet, enhance our products and services, and develop capabilities that will shape the future of our business. This is how we stay ahead and stay resilient to external challenges.”

“We enter the second half of our 2026-27 financial year with measured optimism. While keeping a close watch on costs and geopolitical developments, we remain focused on delivering what Emirates and dnata are known for – safety, quality, and customer satisfaction. We’ve weathered challenges before, and with our strong cash position and solid foundation built up over the years, the Group is well-placed to navigate the headwinds of volatility and high fuel prices,” HH Sheikh Ahmed added.

The first six months of 2026-27 have been a challenging operational environment in the Gulf region, as intermittent airspace restrictions and closures across the region have tested airlines operational agility.

To support its future fleet requirements, in May, Emirates also broke ground on its US$ 5.1 billion engineering and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Al Maktoum International Airport, with completion expected in the mid-2030s.

Despite these operational challenges, Emirates extended its successful and long-running sponsorship deals with Arsenal Football Club (until 2033), and with Real Madrid (until 2031), ‘representing multi-year investments in global brand visibility and partnerships with two of the world’s most prominent clubs in football,’ the carrier said.

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