Flying High

Emirates has achieved record half-yearly profits of US$ 167 mn (Dhs 612 mn), 51 percent up on the same period last year, thanks largely to a series of initiatives to upgrade customer service.
The results, based on unaudited financial figures, compare with net profits of US$ 110 mn (Dhs 404.







2 mn) last year. Higher passenger and cargo yields more than offset a small short-term fall in seat factors during the SARS outbreak and Iraq conflict.



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rnEmirates Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said: "These results confirm that our policy of tailoring services tightly to meet customers needs is proving highly successful, and helping us to exceed even our own growth expectations."rn

rnEmirates Dhs 5.8 billion operating revenue for the half-year recorded strong growth of 33 percent compared to Dhs 4.

3bn during the same period last year.

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rnSeat factor fell by just 8.2 percent points to 69.8 percent, with the impact of SARS and military action in Iraq, but recovered in the second quarter to 77.