Dubai: In a massive reward for employees who kept operations running through months of geopolitical turmoil and aviation disruption, Emirates Group has announced one of the biggest bonus payouts in its history after recording record-breaking profits for the 2025-26 financial year. More than 1.3 lakh employees working across the group will receive a bonus equivalent to 20 weeks of salary — nearly five months’ pay — as the company shares a portion of its soaring profits with staff.
The announcement comes after a year marked by severe instability in West Asia, where the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict heavily affected international air travel and airline operations from February onward. Despite the regional tensions, airspace risks and operational uncertainty, Emirates continued expanding its global services, a move the company credited to the resilience and relentless efforts of its workforce during one of the most volatile periods faced by the aviation sector in recent years.
In a message to employees, Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum praised staff members for steering the airline through the crisis months of March 2026 and described their determination and courage as central to the company’s success during the conflict-hit period.
Emirates Airlines reported a pre-tax profit of 24.4 billion dirhams, marking a 7 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Revenue climbed to 150.5 billion dirhams, up by 3 per cent. The group’s workforce also expanded significantly, with employee strength rising to 130,919 after the recruitment of more than 9,700 new staff members over the past year alone.
The airline has now restored services to 137 cities across 72 countries, reinforcing Dubai as one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. Reports indicate that Dubai’s aviation sector currently supports around 6.3 lakh jobs, with employment expected to grow sharply by 2030 as the emirate pushes for further global expansion despite continuing regional instability.