UAE travel: Emirates reports robust summer bookings to US despite uncertainties

Dubai: Emirates is witnessing robust forward-looking bookings for the upcoming summer season, including routes to the United States, with no noticeable negative impact observed from current global uncertainties, a senior airline official said.

Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commerical Officer of Emirates Airlines, said, "So far, based on the evidence we are seeing, there is no impact. We haven't seen any dip in bookings; the flow looks quite positive."

He added that Emirates is still seeing booking trends growing compared to last year, which he described as "a good signal that the trend is continuing to be quite positive." While stating it was difficult to provide specific numbers, Kazim confirmed that "overall demand [is] standing quite positive and it's quite strong."

According to Kazim, Emirates' network grew to 150 destinations in 80 countries in 2024. He said new destinations added last year included Antananarivo, Phnom Penh, Lagos, and Edinburgh. Looking ahead, 2025 has announced new routes such as Siem Reap, starting June 2, and Shenzhen in China from July, Kazim told Gulf News ahead of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) which starts Monday, April 28.

Emirates’ Airbus A350s

The airline's capacity is set to expand with the ongoing deployment of its new Airbus A350 aircraft. Kazim detailed that some destinations were announced earlier, with routes already launched in January, including Edinburgh, Bahrain, Kuwait, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai. The A350s also expand service to regional points like Tunisia, Bologna, and Lyon in Europe.

“Four aircraft have been received so far, with 16 destinations announced for their deployment, aligning with the summer schedule,” said Kazim. He added, “We expect to receive between 12 to 15 A350s by the end of the summer.” These A350s feature Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes. They are being deployed on regional and secondary markets like those already announced.

A second phase of A350 deliveries after the summer will feature an ultra-long-haul configuration with a crew rest. Routes for these ultra-long-haul aircraft will be announced soon, said Kazim.

Retrofit and Premium Economy

According to Kazim, Premium Economy capacity is a key focus, with the airline currently deploying 1 million seats, with plans to double to 2 million by the end of 2025.

Kazim also highlighted the strong demand for Emirates' Premium Economy cabin as a “key driver for expansion”. He said the product was "well received" by airline passengers.

“We're seeing more passengers moving from Economy to Premium Economy, rather than Business Class. It (Premium Economy) caters to corporate business needs, where we're seeing more and more spending restrictions. They cannot travel on Business Class, but they travel in Economy, and the good thing about Premium Economy is that it fills that category,” he said. Premium Economy is currently deployed on 51 aircraft serving roughly between 36 to 40 destinations.

“This number will double by the end of the financial year, offering more seamless options for passengers to use Premium Economy,” he said.

Regarding Emirates’ ongoing retrofit programme for 119 aircraft (A380s and Boeing 777s) Kazim confirmed that 51 are already completed. This retrofit will expand the enhanced product offering, including Premium Economy, to 73 destinations by the end of 2025, up from 36.