Emirates buys 29 A380s outright as it posts record $6.2 Billion profit

Emirates has posted a record pre-tax profit of $6.2 billion for the financial year ending March 31, 2026. It has used that financial strength to purchase 29 Airbus A380 superjumbos outright.

The 29 aircraft were already flying for the carrier under lease agreements and were due to be returned to their owners. Emirates converted them to full ownership, cementing its long-term commitment to the double-decker jet, which it has operated for longer and on a larger scale than any other airline.

The A380 bet gets bigger

Emirates has consistently had a strong A380. It is the only airline still acquiring the type at scale. The carrier is the world's largest A380 operator with more than 90 examples in service and dozens more parked, and has committed to flying the double-decker until at least 2040.

Emirates also bought five Boeing 777 aircraft at the end of their leases and raised AED 10 billion in aircraft financing through Japanese operating leases, insurance-backed financing, French Tax Lease, and Export Credit Agency-backed structures.

The first A380 with the next generation of Starlink WiFi is now in service. The upgrade will be progressively implemented in the fleet from 2026 onwards.

Industry Perspective

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, addressed the results and the road ahead directly.

The numbers behind the record

The Emirates Group posted a record profit before tax of AED 24.4 billion ($6.6 billion) for FY2025-26, an increase of 7% compared to the FY2024-25 figure.

The total aircraft in the fleet was 277, with an average age of 10.8 years. Emirates purchased 15 A350s, bringing the A350 fleet to 19 aircraft, with a reach of 21 destinations, by March 31.

The order book includes 270 Boeing 777Xs, 54 A350s, 35 Boeing 787s, and 8 777Fs for delivery between now and 2038.

What the order book signals for Emirates

Emirates is developing its dominance. The airline has ordered over 360 planes, comprising 270 Boeing 777X, 54 Airbus A350s, and 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The 777X, which was previously announced to enter service but is still due another year, will be the next chapter in Emirates' fleet history.

The airline also deployed its cargo operations during the Gulf disruption to ensure the continuity of essential goods movement through DXB.

Emirates' profit of $6.2 billion, its 29 new superjumbos, as well as its order book of 367 aircraft extending to 2038, make its long-haul business case crystal clear: it's not hedging, it’s financing.