Originally Posted by subject2load (Post 23442567)

DYKWIA - I suspect you will wait a long time for such proof.

It's a very common myth amongst many travellers with limited/zero first-hand experience of Emirates, and the part of the world in which they are based, that the airline is heavily subsidised - or even totally state-funded. I think the myth gets peddled around as the result of a misguided belief that it must be, surely ....I mean ...... with all that money they've got out there ....... :eek:

My own understanding, having previously spent some years living in the region, is that in the early days of its inception & initial development, the airline did indeed receive significant 'state support'. However, the intention all along was that it would stand on its own feet, and the clearest indication that the transition to a conventional commercial operation had been successfully completed was the first publication (can't quote the actual year) of fully-audited company accounts & reports, a practice which of course has continued ever since. State-run industries are not in the habit of providing Annual Reports for public consumption .....!

One qualification I would add - and this more by way of an educated assumption than any sort of 'inside knowledge' - is that if by chance EK ever got itself into serious, 'life-threatening' difficulties, then those holding the reins of power in Dubai would not wish to see their flag carrier fail. Given the airline's ongoing level of success, such protection seems unlikely to be needed ; but I'd bet my mortgage that it would be there.

Originally Posted by joshwex90 (Post 23442011)

Government funding (meaning no need to rely on your actual revenue) is very different than bankruptcy protection

Originally Posted by Havoc10G (Post 23449788)

No it's owned by ICD a government entity. The same as Dubai World which if you remember during the crisis did not receive any automatic guarantee on its debts and went through a restructuring process as did nakheel. Sovereign guarantees are explicit not implicit. There many other examples.

Originally Posted by Emirates.com

Though wholly owned by the Government of Dubai

Originally Posted by joshwex90 (Post 23450862)

Their own website says:

Source: The Emirates Story | About Emirates | Emirates

Originally Posted by duckied (Post 23451862)

RE Emirates. Let's look at what we know to be fact.

It is 100% owned by a govt holding company.

Dubai is running out of oil. Emirates is INTEGRAL to the government of Dubai to stimulate the tourism industry and has really helped put Dubai on the world map.

You cannot put oil into a planes fuel tanks. Emirates needs to buy jet fuel like every other airline.

Emirates biggest advantage is perhaps that the Dubai government is extremely PRO aviation. It has a geographical advantage. It has a HUGE advantage in that it's hub operates 24/7 allowing Emirates to get much more utlisation out of their staff and aircraft than those operating from night restricted hubs in europe and much of the western world.

Emirates doesn't have the western world corporate problems of contributing to pension funds for staff. Negotiating with unions. Paying staff while they are off on long term sick or maternity/paternity leave. If you are crew for emirates and get pregnant or get cancer - you are on the next plane back to your home country.

Originally Posted by joshwex90 (Post 23442002)

Fair enough - time will tell whether when they've "finished" spending tons of outlay costs, we see a drastic change in profits.

3 things to watch though:

1. Once you've gotten into the habit of spending, it's hard to break it, especially when airlines like EY are trying to outdo you every step along the way
2. All these outlays could very mean high variable costs to maintain, even when the fixed sunk costs finish
3. Amazon is great. But not their profits. In an effort to gain market share, they've lost profit

Originally Posted by DYKWIA (Post 23451925)

Complete rubbish yet again.

Originally Posted by duckied (Post 23457910)

I worked for Emirates as crew for eight years. I was involved in an accident while out in Dubai which would have led to around two months of non working then a phased back schedule due to broken limbs. My contract was terminated within minutes of my appointment with my manager to discuss my accident. After eight years of service without a single day off sick. I was sent home three days later.

What part is complete rubbish DYKWIA?