Emirates plane in flight

Net profit increased 68 per cent for leading airline and airfreight group Emirates through the first half of the fiscal year, up to AED2.1bn (US$575m, €449m) from AED1.3bn (US$343m, €278m) in the same period of 2011.

Emirates noted that the result was 'robust' despite continued global economic pressure and continued high fuel prices, with revenue passing the US$10bn mark for the first time in a six-month period.

Revenue and other operating income came in at AED38.2bn (US$10.4bn, €8.2bn), an increase of 16 per cent, while the company expanded on its employee base by more than 8 per cent through the half.

'The Emirates Group half-year performance is the result of hard work and our drive to stay on course and continue to grow despite the precarious marketplace,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group. 'We have continued to invest in the infrastructure of both Emirates and dnata and it continues to pay off.'