Emirates flies equivalent of 16,000 trips to Mars in bumper 2017 for airline

The carrier also inks a $15bn Boeing order, signs code-share deal with sister airline flydubai

Emirates and Etihad, the UAE's two largest airlines will share intelligence after signing a security pact. Courtesy Emirates

Flying as much as over 16,000 trips to Mars, fitting out first class cabins inspired by Mercedes Benz S-Class on Boeing 777-300ER, and clinching a $15 bilion order for Boeing 787 Dreamliners are some of the milestones achieved this year by Emirates Airline, the world’s largest long-haul airline.

The airline is set to end this year by carrying over 59 million passengers and moving 35 million pieces of baggage in its network of 156 destinations.

The Dubai-based carrier clocked up 886 million kilometres, which is equal to over 16,000 trips to Mars.

“Despite the ups and downs of 2017, Emirates delivered steady growth and we have come out stronger and even more resilient,” said Tim Clark, president Emirates Airline.

“We implemented initiatives to boost revenues, trim costs, and used emerging technologies to make our business and operations more agile, without compromising on quality or service.

"We enter 2018 with optimism, and an unflagging drive to keep raising the bar in terms of customer experience and business performance.”

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Emirates Group net profit soars 77% in first half to Dh2.3 billion

Emirates-Flydubai codeshare deepens choice for customers, boosts carrier gains

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Profit for Emirates, the airline which operates the world's largest fleet of wide body aircraft, soared 111 per cent to Dh1.7bn in the first-half of its fiscal year, as it carried more passengers. The carrier's performance was a marked improvement from last year's annual results which saw profits plunge 82 percent.

The carrier, which weathered a laptop ban on US flights that was later lifted, grew its fleet by 21 new aircraft, ending the year with 269 planes, and 243 pending delivery.

The world’s biggest owner of the A380 also marked 9 years of operating the jumbo aircraft and taking delivery of its 100th plane of the A380 fleet, which has carried over 90 million passengers since its introduction in 2008.

Emirates, which didn’t conclude a much-awaited deal with Airbus for more A380 aircraft, opted instead for a US$15.1 billion order for 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliners during November's Dubai Airshow.

To tap growth opportunities of the narrow-body flights, Emirates entered into a code-share agreement with sister airline flydubai that will offer passengers access to over 200 destinations on the combined networks of both airlines.

Last but not least, Emirates unveiled in November Boeing 777-300ER First Class private suites inspired by the Mercedes Benz S-Class and partnered with TV celebrity Jeremy Clarkson for a global ad campaign.