Sheikh Hamdan: 'Emirates is a bridge that connects people, cultures, and dreams'

As Emirates airline prepares to celebrate its 40th year of excellence, on October 25, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, lauded the carrier.

In a post on X, he wrote: “Forty years ago on 25 October 1985, Emirates took off from Dubai on its first flight to the world. It wasn’t just the beginning of an airline, it was the start of a journey of ambition that never stopped. From two leased aircraft to a fleet of more than 230, from 4 destinations to 152 cities, from 300,000 passengers to over 53 million a year.

“Today, Emirates is not only the world’s best airline, it’s a bridge that connects people, cultures, and dreams.”

He also thanked the Emirates leadership in his post, writing: “To Ahmed bin Saeed and the incredible Emirates team, thank you. Your dedication has made Dubai a global hub of connection and possibility, and your ambition continues to carry us to new heights.”

Earlier, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, stressed that Emirates has become one of the world’s leading airlines and a key pillar of the UAE’s development, as the carrier marks the 40th anniversary of its establishment.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, expressed thanks and gratitude to the rulers of UAE.

On his official X account, he said: “Thank you to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, and His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed for your steadfast support and invaluable trust. Your wise vision has always been and continues to be the foundation upon which Emirates' journey is built, the source of its strength, and the reason behind its continued excellence for four decades.”

“Thanks to your guidance, and with the support of Emirates’ teams around the world, we have continued to shape a success story that we, as Emiratis, proudly share with the world, a story that reflects the ambition of Dubai and the UAE in every flight and every milestone, keeping Dubai, as always, at the forefront,” Sheikh Ahmed tweeted.