Emirates is preparing to introduce insurance guarantees to reassure travellers and revive Dubai’s tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the Iran‑US‑Israel conflict, Daily Mail reported. 

The carrier’s president Tim Clark said passengers would be guaranteed a way home, even via rival airlines if necessary, to ease fears of being stranded amid escalating regional tensions. 

Emirates is negotiating with insurers to make the coverage a “reasonably priced” add‑on for ticket holders.

The move comes as Dubai, which had hoped to welcome a record 20 million visitors this year, is losing an estimated £450 million a day due to hotel closures and lost business. 

Despite global governments maintaining no‑fly advisories, Dubai International Airport continues to handle around 40,000 daily transfer passengers.

Emirates has restored about 80 per cent of its pre‑war network and last week reported a small profit, with flights averaging 75 per cent full. 

The airline posted $6.3bn (£4.71bn) in profit for the year ending March, though the figure would have been $7bn (£5.23bn) without the disruption caused by the war. 

Clark told the Financial Times that passenger numbers have rebounded faster than expected, describing the profit as an “unexpected bonus” and noting the airline is “well ahead” of its initial loss estimates for the first quarter.

He further predicted the crisis, which has doubled jet fuel prices, will trigger a “complete overhaul” of global oil distribution, while reaffirming Emirates’ commitment to its four‑engine Airbus A380 fleet, calling it “an enormous cash generator and profit generator.” (Newswire)

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Emirates Group has surprised employees with a 20-week salary bonus on the back of record profits, far exceeding the 13-week payout initially linked to performance targets.

In a deeply emotional message to its employees, seen by Khaleej Times, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, expressed his gratitude.

“March 2026 will fade into memory, but we will never forget your bravery and incredible resilience,” he noted. “You were called upon during one of the most complex and challenging times in our history, and you showed up with commitment and passion. For that, I will remain forever grateful to you.” 

He also thanked the employees for being “the most extraordinary colleagues and partners any leader could wish for.” Despite the challenging times, Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates airline, retained its place as the world’s most profitable airline, posting record profit before tax.

Emirates broke ‘almost every financial record’

In his note, Sheikh Ahmed noted that the year was marked by two sharp contrasts. “In the first 11 months, we advanced our strategic priorities,” he wrote. “However, overnight from March 1, we were facing an unprecedented situation and fighting to restart our hub operations.”

He said that despite the challenging March, the company closed the year “breaking almost every financial record to date” and achieved an all-time high profit before tax and revenue, building “record level” cash reserves.

He acknowledged that even with the company’s “sophisticated contingency response plans”, the scale of safety and operational disruptions caused uncertainty. Sitting back was not an option. “Thousands of our customers in Dubai and our outstations relied on us to reach their homes, families and businesses, tackle emergencies and transport essential goods,” he said.

He commended the UAE leadership for their decisive action, prioritising the safety of travellers and residents. “With the creation of a safe air corridor, we marshalled our people and resources across Emirates and dnata to restart operations in a limited way,” he said. “Momentum returned. Our operations stabilised, and Emirates was flying 58 per cent of its capacity by 31 March. Our cargo teams at Emirates and dnata became overnight heroes as they worked tirelessly to ferry essential supplies across the UAE and the region.”

Dubai and Emirates will come back bigger, better

Sheikh Ahmed continued with hopes for the future and a response to critics: “To all critics who believe Dubai and the Emirates Group are in decline, we’ve heard this before and proved them wrong every time. We’re coming back bigger, better and bolder as we always do after a crisis.”

He acknowledged many challenges ahead, including unresolved regional conflict, supply chain issues, and rising fuel and insurance costs, but said Emirates was well-placed to overcome them. “There is a renewed sense of energy, pride in the city and optimism in its future,” he said. “Emirates will soon operate flight schedules as normal. We will continue to take delivery of aircraft on order and progress apace on the retrofit programme.”

He concluded by once again commending the employees. “I want you to believe in the collective future of Dubai and the Emirates Group,” he wrote. “Take confidence in our resilience and our ability to bounce back, no matter what. Above all, back yourself and continue to lead the way as the best professionals in the business.” (Khaleej Times)

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Dubai-based airline Emirates has announced that Iranian nationals are currently not allowed to enter or transit through the United Arab Emirates, according to an update on its official website.

The move comes as tensions between Iran and Gulf countries continue to rise, prompting tighter travel measures across the region, News.Az reports, citing Reuters.

Under the new restrictions, Iranian passport holders are barred from both entering the UAE and using it as a transit hub on Emirates flights.

However, another UAE carrier, Flydubai, clarified that exceptions apply. Iranian nationals holding a valid UAE “Golden Visa” are still permitted to enter or transit through the country.

The travel restrictions follow escalating geopolitical strains linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. While authorities have not issued detailed public explanations, the timing suggests a direct connection to security concerns in the Gulf region.

The UAE, a major global aviation hub, is often used as a transit point for international travelers. Any restrictions affecting specific nationalities can have wider implications for regional travel and airline operations.

Passengers are advised to check the latest entry requirements before booking or traveling, as rules may change quickly depending on developments in the region.

The situation highlights how geopolitical tensions are increasingly impacting global travel, particularly in strategically sensitive regions like the Middle East. (Azerbaijan News/ Reuters)

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Sri Lanka is among the top destinations for UAE residents to travel this summer, according to new data released by Emirates.

UAE media, Khaleej Times reports that per the data, UAE residents are searching for flights to Sri Lanka, Jordan, Morocco, France, India and Lebanon this summer.

Sri Lanka saw a 32 per cent rise, driven by interest in beach holidays, cultural sites, and budget-friendly luxury. Emirates offers several daily flights to Colombo, the report states.

Data by Emirates further reported a 13 per cent rise in flight searches from the UAE compared to last year, reflecting strong outbound demand ahead of the peak travel season.

The trend aligns with a wider global shift in travel behaviour. Emirates says overall searches for summer travel are up by 7 per cent across its network, with destinations in Asia, the Indian Ocean and parts of Europe gaining the most traction.

Vietnam recorded a 61 per cent surge in search interest, making it the fastest-growing destination on the Emirates network. The airline operates 25 weekly flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang (via Bangkok). The growing demand is tied to Vietnam’s mix of nature, food and heritage sites, with Da Nang offering access to multiple UNESCO-listed landmarks and untouched coastline.

Mauritius, Sri Lanka also see strong growth

Searches for Mauritius are up 41 per cent, with Emirates operating two daily A380 flights to the island. Sri Lanka saw a 32 per cent rise, driven by interest in beach holidays, cultural sites, and budget-friendly luxury. Emirates offers several daily flights to Colombo.

France, Japan complete the top five

France saw a 25 per cent increase in searches, with Emirates operating multiple daily flights to Paris, Nice and Lyon. Japan followed with a 28 per cent rise, supported by 21 weekly flights to Tokyo (Narita and Haneda) and Osaka.

Who’s going where?

The data shows regional travel preferences vary:

• UK travellers are searching more for long-haul destinations like Japan, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
• Indian travellers are focused on Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
• German travellers are showing more interest in Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and the Seychelles.
• US travellers are leaning towards Africa, especially Egypt, Kenya and South Africa.
• Australian travellers are largely searching for flights to Europe, particularly France and the UK. (Newswire/ Khaleej Times)

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The Sri Lankan Pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), was officially opened today, showcasing its vibrant culture, natural beauty, and diverse tourism offerings.

The participation is organized by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai and Northern Emirates in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), aiming to further strengthen Sri Lanka’s position in the UAE and wider Middle East travel markets.

The Sri Lanka Pavilion was officially inaugurated with the distinguished presence of the Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ceremonially lit the traditional oil lamp, marking the official opening of the pavilion.

Consul General of Sri Lanka to Dubai and Northern Emirates Alexi Gunasekera, Managing Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Sampath Nissanka, Regional Manager (Middle East) for SriLankan Airlines Jayantha Abeysinghe, senior officials of the SLTPB, and other dignitaries also graced the occasion. Over 70 Sri Lankan travel agents, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and leading hotels have joined the delegation to showcase the country’s unique tourism experiences to an international audience.

Under the new government’s tourism strategy targeting 3 million visitors and US$ 5 billion in revenue by 2025, Sri Lanka is focusing on high-quality, diversified experiences, including wellness tourism. The UAE has been identified as a key priority market in this renewed vision for sustainable tourism growth.

As part of strategic efforts to enhance connectivity and travel convenience, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Emirates Airlines yesterday. This agreement is expected to enhance opportunities for cooperative marketing and strengthen direct air links between the two countries.

Commenting on Sri Lanka’s participation at ATM 2025, Consul General Alexi Gunasekera stated, “To achieve our target of attracting 3 million tourists, Sri Lanka must expand its reach beyond traditional source markets and tap into new and emerging destinations. The Arabian Travel Market offers an ideal platform to connect with a diverse and dynamic audience, opening new avenues for collaboration, partnerships, and growth. By strengthening our presence in regions like the Middle East, we can unlock new opportunities to diversify our tourism base and drive sustainable growth for the sector.”

The Sri Lanka Pavilion at ATM 2025 invites all attendees to experience the spirit of Sri Lanka, a land of timeless heritage, breathtaking scenery, and warm hospitality, and explore new opportunities for tourism partnerships.

Arabian Travel Market, one of the premier global events for the travel and tourism sector, will take place from 28 April to 1 May 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This year’s event, themed “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism through Enhanced Connectivity”, is expected to welcome over 41,000 visitors and more than 2,300 exhibitors from around the world. (Newswire)

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Emirates Airlines and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) renewed their partnership at the Arabian Travel Market 2025, aimed at further developing the country’s tourism and trade industries. 

The partnership was sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties, which was signed by Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean and Sampath Nissanka, Managing Director of the SLTPB.

The signing ceremony was also attended by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer; Alexi Gunasekera, Consul General-designate of Sri Lanka to Dubai and the Northern Emirates in addition to other representatives of the airline and tourism board.

First inked in 2022, the renewed MoU will strengthen the collaboration between Emirates and SLTPB, with both the airline and tourism body reiterating their commitment to actively promote Sri Lanka as a destination to key markets within Emirates’ network. Through joint initiatives, such as developing excursions and familiarization trips to promote the island nation to key feeder markets, Emirates and SLTPB aim to grow the tourism industry of the popular Indian Ocean destination by showcasing the destination to customers across the airline’s global network. 

The joint efforts to boost the nation’s tourist industry have supported a steady increase in inbound traffic into the island, which recorded just over 2 million visitors in 2024. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Emirates carried over 240,000 passengers into Sri Lanka from key markets around its network including Russia, the UK, Germany, Australia, China, and the US, among others.

Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial West Asia & Indian Ocean said:  “We have been serving Sri Lanka for 39 years, and it continues to be an important market for us. We reaffirm our commitment to connecting Sri Lanka to the world through additional flights to increase connectivity and passenger convenience, the deployment of our latest aircraft, the A350, and by renewing our MoU with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau as testament to the efforts we are investing into the nation’s tourism industry.

“Through our joint collaboration, we have seen a significant rise in tourism levels in the country and we look forward to another year of shared success in the promotion of Sri Lanka as a key leisure destination across our diverse network.”

Sampath Nissanka, Managing Director – SLTPB said: “Our close collaboration with Emirates has already yielded remarkable growth in tourism to our beautiful island nation, and we are excited to embark on another year of mutual success. This joint commitment to promoting Sri Lanka across Emirates’ extensive global network will undoubtedly showcase the unique charm and allure that makes Sri Lanka a premium leisure destination for travellers worldwide.”

“Sri Lanka, a jewel in the Indian Ocean, boasts a rich tapestry of attractions that cater to every type of traveller and Emirates’ extensive network, connecting over 140 destinations across six continents, provides unparalleled access to Sri Lanka for travellers worldwide. This collaboration will strategically highlight Sri Lanka’s diverse offerings to a global audience, tapping into key markets and attracting discerning travellers seeking authentic and enriching experiences. We are confident that this partnership will not only increase tourist arrivals but also showcase the warmth of our hospitality and the incredible potential of Sri Lanka as a leading tourism destination in the years to come.” 

Emirates recently launched its A350 services on flights EK654/655 with 6-weekly flights, to increase to daily on 7 May. Colombo is also one of the destinations that is set to receive the Boeing 777 with refreshed interiors, from 10 August on its daily EK650/651 flights.

Emirates began operations to Sri Lanka in April 1986 and has consistently supported the country’s tourism and export industries through passenger and cargo services. Earlier this year, the airline added a fourth daily flight and deployed its latest aircraft to Sri Lanka, increasing seat capacity on the route by 30 percent. (Newswire)

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After the lights came on and the crowd started to disperse at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island of Abu Dhabi, two things stood out: All were moving their shoulders to the beat of Chaiyya Chaiyya that wrapped up a three-hour musical journey guided by A.R. Rahman himself, and the amused comments, on how the show went better than expected, in Tamil and Malayalam.

Accompanied by the full-fledged orchestra Firdaus, an ensemble of women from around the world, including war-torn countries in West Asia, and a team of talented singers, including Shweta Mohan, Jonitha Gandhi, and Haricharan, the concert on Saturday (November 2) night was both a celebration of peace and a trip down memory lane for the Indian diaspora in the Emirates.

Starting with his Oscar-winning Jai Ho, the show had everything one could expect from Mr. Rahman and more. A soulful rendition of Kun Faya Kun, romance and heartbreak in Munbe va and Kadhal Rojave and the spirit and celebration of youth in Mustafa Mustafa and Barso re.

With fan favourite Jonitha joining Mr. Rahman to set the bar right at the beginning with Mukkala Mukkabala, Shwetha Mohan won the crowd with Kadhal Rojave, originally sung by her mother Sujatha, and followed it up with spot-on performances one after the other culminating in early Malayalam version of rap battle Padakali from Yodha.

While the show did not carry any specific proclaimed theme, a dialectic of individual cultural identity and cultural integration was visible when Mr. Rahman took a moment during the show to tell the crowd that the “biggest identity” should be “service to humanity, peace, and love”. Then he went on to sing Yeh jo Desh hai tera, a song about the need for people to go back to their roots and ended with its Tamil version, calling out to the ‘Tamizhar’. He also acknowledged migration, with a nod to critically acclaimed The Goat Life.

Mr. Rahman’s quest to address themes from humanity, as a group and as individual beings, through his songs is not new to his fans. The audience was surprised when he announced in the middle of the show, calling a lady from amidst them backstage and telling her to get ready to perform. Celine Dee Matahari, a French-speaking woman born to Indonesian parents in Dubai, sang Chinna Chinna Asai in heavily accented Tamil, to a roaring reception from the predominantly south Indian crowd.

The crowd was in for another surprise when the group started singing Hum Dum Suniyo Re and the big screen showed Vivek Oberoi, still the ‘cool guy’ whose bike sync with the tune with headphones over his ears in Sathiya made waves.

After an orchestral tribute to “Superman of Tamil Nadu” Rajinikanth, a rap mashup and countless fan favourites covering the whole spectrum of musical genres, the all-familiar drum beats of Chaiyya Chaiyya that defined an era for Bollywood brought nearly 18,000 people to their feet with their flashlights blinking, bringing an amazing Abu Dhabi night to an end, reinforcing the hold Mr. Rahman has created on the ears of the diverse diaspora. (The Hindu)

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Tourism Minister Harin Fernando met the Chairman of Emirates Airlines, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in Dubai, during which an agreement was reached with Emirates to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.

Minister Fernando told Newswire that the Emirates Airline Chairman had also expressed support for Sri Lanka’s influencer programme. 

During the meeting, an agreement was also made to make Sri Lanka among the first set of destinations to be served by Emirates’ A350 aircraft, with the service kickstarting in September this year. 

Tourism Minister Harin Fernando is in Dubai to attend the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), one of the Middle East’s annual big-ticket industry events, underway from May 06-09.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has been participating in this event since 2003 along with the members of the travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka. 

It is one of the most crucial and leading trade fairs included in Sri Lanka Tourism’s promotional schedule. The SLTPB has been an active participant each year, displaying a new variety of promotional material each year. (Newswire)

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Emirates, Etihad Airways and the Adani Group are among sixteen (16) prospective bidders seeking a stake in SriLankan Airlines (SLA), it was reported. 

According to the Sunday Times, top Aviation Ministry sources have revealed that they are among the bidders who have expressed interest in phase 1 of the process for the divestiture of the debt-ridden national carrier.

It is reported that phase 1 of SriLankan Airlines’ restructuring process has ended with the closing of bids for the divestiture of the airline and the selection of prequalified bidders’ is now underway. The privatisation of the national carrier is slated to be finalised by June 30, 2024.

A special team of experts in the aviation field is engaged in the evaluation of bids to select prequalified bidders and to shortlist them soon, with the Aviation Ministry sources stating that an international consultant has also been appointed to guide the restructuring process of SriLankan Airlines.

The divestiture is planned to be completed through a two-stage competitive bidding process; RFQ (Request for Qualification) and RFP (Request for Proposals for the Proposed Transaction), with reports that phase one of the divestment process RFQ being completed.

SriLankan Airlines carries a debt of US$ 1.2 billion, owed to various organisations, including local state banks, accumulated unpaid fuel bills, outstanding payments for international bonds and leased aircraft, and an accumulated loss of Rs. 594.4 billion. (NewsWire)

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