Bangkok--7 Nov--Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation
Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation notes Emirates reported another record interim net profit of USD323 million in the six months ended 30-Sep-06, up 29% year-on-year. Revenue also rose 29%, driven by improved yields and strong passenger and cargo demand, both up 20% year-on-year to 8.4 million and 577,455 tonnes, respectively.
Since Jan-06, Emirates has launched services to ten new cities, bringing its network to 87. According to Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, Emirates has been in a strong position to tap into the robust demand for air travel globally by expanding its route network with new high-capacity aircraft.
"This could however be the carrier’s Achilles Heel going forward, with the A380 delays recently described by Emirates as a 'serious issue'. Any slowing of the trend to liberalise aviation market access, particularly in Europe, could also affect Emirates’ growth plans," according to Peter Harbison, the Centre's Executive Chairman.
Emerging rival, Qatar Airways, has been forced to trim its 2007 expansion from ten new routes to seven, due to “protracted” negotiations with Airbus and Boeing over aircraft, while it is facing “unacceptable hurdles” in its attempts to gain rights to launch services to Australia.
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