Emirates Airline is quite optimistic about its growth in India in the coming years. Vice President of Emirates Airline (India and Nepal) Essa Sulaiman Ahmad said that the airline is seeking organic growth in the country, especially with the Indian government’s approach toward Vision 2040.
He added that the fuel costs is an overall challenge for the aviation industry. Emirates Airline will start receiving 12 Airbus A380s deliveries in the next few months.
Sulaiman said “Airbus A380s have worked out well for us, in Mumbai and elsewhere.” The airline also plans to add international long-haul flights and short flights to Dubai-Muscat and Dubai-Kuwait routes.
Currently, the airline has a fleet of 270 aircraft with an order book of 234, according to several media reports. The airline is awaiting to have 123 A380s in its fleet by 2021.
In January, the Ministry of Civil Aviation unveiled Vision 2040 which is deeply committed to boost growth in Indian aviation’s sub sectors. There are reports that the government might establish a Nabh Nirman Fund with approximately $2 billion to support airports in their nascent stages.
More recently, Emirates Airline ruled out the possibility of bidding for debt-ridden airline Air India. In this context, Sulaiman told the media that the airline is focused on organic growth in the country — and is not considering acquisition of Air India. Air India is the flag carrier airline of India.
Emirates Airline is a subsidiary of the Emirates Group and is owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai.