Emirates! Why I think it is Flourishing!

Emirates, a middle east airline marvel which has grown with quite a pace since it was founded in 1985.

Some facts:
Hub: Dubai International Airport (with terminal 3 now dedicated to Emirates.)
With 132 aircrafts and 149 on order it is one of the 10 biggest airlines in the world in terms of passenger traffic and aircrafts,
flies to over 91 destinations in 55 countries. It is one of the six airlines which operates only wide body aircrafts, a mixture of airbuses and boeings.
Wholy owned by Dubai government, it operates independent of the government, founded with a 10million $ grant from the government.
More than 40,000 employees.
Seventh largest in the world in terms of international passengers carried. Largest in the middle east.
Voted 5th best airline in the world by Skytrax consultancy.

(for more details : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirates_(airline) )

Now, why i think Emirates flourished even from a country which has minimal population and is not even oil rich:

Emirates, since its a government subsidary, all the rules were made to help in the growth of the airline.
Aircrafts were allowed to fly internationally from the very begining, istead of starting off flying in UAE(regional) 1st and then international,
infact the 1st Emirates flight was international, Dubai- Karachi (Pakistan), 2nd destination was Dubai- Mumbai (India).

It was aided by the fact that Dubai is closer to South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, China with huge population numbers.
(Population is important since it indirectly means more flyers). Taking advantage of this one fact, Dubai is now one of the major hubs,
with people coming over from all over the world in Dubai and then proceeding onto their respective destinations, mainly direct flights.
Emirates as based out of Dubai gives it an advantage as it is virtually in the middle of the World.
Hence Direct flights are more convenient (Direct flights are cheaper and more efficient) and as the average aircraft age is a very healthy 5.7years,
efficiency is the key. Long range flights means there is least usage of aircraft fuselage, which in short means less stress that an aircraft goes through.
(i will explain this in my next blog)

One major fact, which is infact the USP of this phenomenal airline is its management, from keeping the average age of aircrafts to 5.7years to
meticulously outsourced fuel consultants (who buy fuel for the airline, with hardcore negotiating) based in Texas.
Now here i would like to add the urban legend which implies that Emirates get fuel at discounted prices, being a middle eastern airline,
plus discounts from the government, being a government subsidary company, this has never been proved by any of the rumour mongers.
One article on www.travelinsider.com states that Emirates fuel cost for 31st march 2008 to be 30% + of its income,
where as Qantas fuel cost to be 21% + of its income (this airline ironically is public owned).

People who travel by Emirates regulary swear by this airline, it is the airline's oustanding hospitality, comfort and amazing service which draw flyers to it.
Even the experience at Dubai airport is amazing and some of my friends travelling by Emirates are excited just to visit Dubai airport on their way to NA.
Services like free wi-fi are provided at the airport, very handy when your transit flight is more than 2hours away.
It has excellent crew, entertainment system is pretty good with variety from various parts of the world.
Food is top class. They are one of the 1st airlines to provide email service in their flights.
They have a limo service for 1st class and Business class passengers (in India they have Mercedes Benz C-class, not a limo).

As the years went by and as Sheikh Maktoum transformed Dubai from a sleepy town to a major Business centre of the world,
with amazing real estate and tourism services, the number of people flying in and out of Dubai increased tremendously.

No wonder that Abu Dhabi government is after Emirates!