Emirates expands flights and premium services
Emirates is entering a growth phase driven by new widebody deliveries and the rollout of its Premium Economy cabin, according to Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. The airline’s commercial and operational priorities emphasize the importance of travel trade partners in its distribution strategy.
Kazim discussed Emirates’ plans at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. He noted the airline has recovered 93% of its network capacity in the last six months. Additionally, it has restored 98% of its pre-conflict network during the same period.
Emirates currently operates flights to nearly 140 global destinations. The airline will prioritize key trunk routes and high-demand markets. It will also increase frequency on Asian hubs like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Tokyo Narita.
Kazim noted that the airline’s priority is scaling capacity, opening new city pairs, and driving traffic into Dubai and across its global network, which will be supported by an influx of new widebody deliveries.
Emirates is slated to receive more Airbus A350-900 aircraft, with 46 aircraft currently in its fleet and six more to be delivered within a three-month window to anchor regional, medium, and long-haul expansion.
The carrier is also preparing for the induction of the Boeing 777X, which reflects its commitment to Dubai’s broader tourism infrastructure, according to Kazim.
Product differentiation remains anchored around Emirates’ four-class configuration, led by the rapid retrofit and delivery of Premium Economy cabins, which now represents roughly 20 per cent of Emirates’ overall cabin deployment on participating routes.
The carrier’s multi-billion-dollar retrofit programme will ultimately see the product installed across more than 219 aircraft, with the A350 fleet debuting refinements to the Premium Economy seat architecture.
Kazim stated that the Premium Economy product fills the space between economy and business class without cannibalising business yields, capturing a distinct segment of economy passengers seeking an upgraded experience.
Addressing distribution, Kazim reiterated that Emirates Gateway, the carrier’s proprietary NDC-enabled platform, is designed to enhance agent capabilities rather than disintermediate the trade, with NDC transactions currently generating between 12 and 13 per cent of Emirates’ total booking volume.
Kazim concluded with a clear reassurance to trade partners, stating that travel agents are just as important to the airline as direct bookings, and the objective is to provide a single, robust platform where partners have all the tools they need to service their clients efficiently.
