Emirates Group is paying eligible employees a bonus equivalent to 20 weeks of salary, roughly five months of pay, following a record profit before tax and revenue for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The payout significantly exceeds the 13-week bonus linked to performance targets and follows a 22-week bonus awarded to staff in 2025.
Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum announced the bonus in a message to staff, crediting employees for their resilience during one of the airline's most challenging years.
"March 2026 will fade into memory, but we will never forget your bravery and incredible resilience," he wrote. "You were called upon during one of the most complex and challenging times in our history, and you showed up with commitment and passion."
He also thanked employees for being "the most extraordinary colleagues and partners any leader could wish for." Despite severe operational disruptions, Emirates retained its position as the world's most profitable airline, posting all-time highs in both profit before tax and revenue.
How did Emirates break financial records despite a difficult year?
Sheikh Ahmed described the year as defined by two sharp contrasts. The first 11 months saw the airline advance its strategic priorities, but overnight from March 1, the group faced an unprecedented situation and fought to restart hub operations.
Despite that disruption, the company closed the year "breaking almost every financial record to date" and built what he called "record level" cash reserves.
He acknowledged that even the company's sophisticated contingency response plans could not fully prepare it for the scale of safety and operational disruptions. Sitting back was not an option, he said.
"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."
How did Emirates recover its operations after the March 2026 crisis?
Sheikh Ahmed credited the UAE leadership for their decisive action in prioritizing the safety of travelers and residents.
With the creation of a safe air corridor, Emirates and dnata marshalled their people and resources to restart operations in a limited capacity. By March 31, Emirates was flying 58 percent of its capacity.
Cargo teams at both Emirates and dnata were singled out for working around the clock to ferry essential supplies across the UAE and the region.
Sheikh Ahmed called them "overnight heroes" for their efforts during the crisis period.
Does Sheikh Ahmed think Dubai and Emirates Group are in decline?
Sheikh Ahmed addressed critics directly in his message to staff. "To all critics who believe Dubai and the Emirates Group are in decline, we've heard this before and proved them wrong every time," he wrote. "We're coming back bigger, better and bolder as we always do after a crisis."
He acknowledged real challenges ahead, including unresolved regional conflict, supply chain disruptions, and rising fuel and insurance costs. But he said Emirates was well-placed to overcome them, pointing to a "renewed sense of energy, pride in the city and optimism in its future."
The airline expects to return to normal flight schedules and will continue taking delivery of aircraft on order while progressing its retrofit program.
He closed by urging employees to back themselves. "Take confidence in our resilience and our ability to bounce back, no matter what," he wrote. "Above all, back yourself and continue to lead the way as the best professionals in the business."
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