ATM 2021: Emirates airline hopeful of a travel revival as more markets reopen, chairman says

Sheikh Ahmed 'optimistic' that the UAE will be added to the UK's green travel list 'very soon'

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman and chief executive of Emirates, speaks during a media roundtable at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National.

Emirates expects summer travel demand to improve as more countries reopen their borders over the next six months, the airline’s chairman and chief executive said on Monday.

The airline is bullish about a "fast rebound" in traffic similar to what was recorded when it resumed flights to Russia, the Maldives and the Seychelles, as well as during a brief travel corridor with the UK late last year, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed said at the Arabian Travel Market.

“We have to remain optimistic ... if markets open, traffic will be coming; we will see this in the next six months,” he said during a media round table.

"Maybe we will not reach the pre-pandemic numbers in those six months. That will be obviously a much longer period."

Sheikh Ahmed did not provide a forecast for annual passenger traffic during the current fiscal year, citing fluctuating market dynamics.

He said the airline is reassessing its plans "in terms of fleet requirements, what should be really pushed back, because we have to deal with a market that is shifting back and forth – it goes two steps in front and one step behind or two or three”.

Emirates is considering exchanging some of its wide-body Boeing 777X jets on order for smaller 787 Dreamliners amid delays in the new aircraft’s debut.

“That could be a possibility,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “The 777X programme was really delayed ... we are in talks with Boeing.”

The airline's chairman is also hopeful that the UAE will be added to the UK's green travel list "very soon".

“It is unfair. We look also at the number of British people who live in the UAE; there are more than 150,000 people living here, who want to go back home to their country and see their loved ones and friends. It is a must,” said Sheikh Ahmed.

“The two governments ... are talking about it and sharing information.”

State-owned Emirates received $2bn in equity from the Dubai government last year to pull through the pandemic.

Asked if there were ongoing discussions for a further injection of capital by the government, Sheikh Ahmed said the airline would assess its performance, the state of the market and its cash flow this year.

A raft of measures to support the hospitality sector were set out at Dubai's Arabian Travel Market 2021, including a one-month trial to ease Covid-19 rules for bars, restaurants and live venues. Antonie Robertson / The National

The 2021 Arabian Travel Market exhibition opened at the World Trade Centre in Dubai on May 16. Antonie Robertson / The National

Top industry leaders, ministers, airline executives and hoteliers will meet during the four-day event. Antonie Robertson / The National

Organisers say it is the first in-person travel and tourism event in the world since the onset of the pandemic. Antonie Robertson / The National

This year's event comes at a crucial time as the global aviation and tourism industry battles the Covid-19 pandemic. Antonie Robertson / The National

A man makes handicrafts at the Saudi Arabia stand at Arabian Travel Market exhibition. Antonie Robertson / The National

Coffee is served at the Saudi Arabia stand at Arabian Travel Market. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Emirates Airlines stand at Arabian Travel Market. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Saudi Arabia stand at Arabian Travel Market. Antonie Robertson / The National

This year's exhibition is being held under the theme "A new dawn for travel and tourism". Antonie Robertson / The National

The Morocco stand at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors at the Expo 2020 Dubai stand at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors tour some of the exhibition stands at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

This year's event will focus on the current state of the industry, progress on vaccines and future trends. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors at the Abu Dhabi stand look at a model of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors tour the Dubai exhibit at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

An artisan makes handicrafts at the Saudi Arabia stand at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National

Visitors at the Saudi Arabia stand. Pawan Singh / The National

The Egypt stand at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National.

The Dubai stand, with a model of Burj Khalifa in the foreground, at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National.

The Expo 2020 Dubai stand at the Arabian Travel Market. Delayed from last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Expo 2020 Dubai opens on October 1. Pawan Singh / The National.

Visitors explore the Expo 2020 Dubai stand at Arabian Travel Market. Pawan Singh / The National.

Emirates is also flying medical supplies to India, one of its top source markets, to help the Asian country cope with a devastating second wave of the pandemic.

“We are doing whatever [is] possible in terms of the airline by either carrying some of the freight for NGOs free of cost and also helping with connecting India with the rest of the world through our cargo operations to more than nine destinations,” he said.

Asked about his outlook for the new financial year that starts in April, Sheikh Ahmed said he was “optimistic” because there is pent-up travel demand.

“I hope the market will open in the next six months from now, with the summer traffic coming up fairly soon.”