Adel Al-Redha: 150 Aircraft to be Equipped with Starlink Internet by Year-End
83 Aircraft Upgraded from Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 Models to Date
In his remarks to the media, he noted that hiring plans encompass various departments, including cabin crew, airport services, pilots, engineers, and others, aligning with the ongoing growth of the fleet and the expansion of the destination network. He emphasized that Emirates is actively recruiting to fulfill its operational needs and faces no challenges in attracting talent due to Dubai’s competitive advantages in work environment and quality of life.
He also revealed that the airline has adopted a series of specialized programs aimed at attracting more local talent by training Emirati citizens for various operational roles. This initiative has successfully engaged hundreds of ambitious nationals through a range of training programs.
This transition is coordinated with the retirement of some older planes and the gradual integration of new aircraft, reflecting a flexible fleet management strategy that balances operational demands and long-term economic efficiency.
Al-Redha noted that Emirates Group achieved remarkable performance in the first half of its fiscal year 2025-2026, driven by increased demand for its services, improved operational efficiency, and continuous global network growth, positively impacting its financial results and operational indicators.
He reaffirmed that Emirates continues to invest in enhancing its comprehensive service offerings, both in-flight and on the ground, by upgrading hospitality services, cabin designs, and operational infrastructure to ensure an exceptional travel experience at world-class levels across all classes.
This strategy reflects a strong confidence in the growing demand for travel to Dubai for business and leisure purposes.
Al-Redha expressed that the demand for flights across Emirates’ global network remains robust, with the airline maintaining a regular flight schedule.
Furthermore, Emirates is committed to enhancing its services and products to deliver an extraordinary travel experience, planning to provide 38 exclusive lounges by the end of the year at airports worldwide. The investment in updating these lounges is anticipated to reach approximately 500 million dirhams.
To improve the travel experience onboard, he noted that 10 Boeing 777 aircraft have been equipped with Starlink satellite internet services, with expectations that over 150 aircraft will have this service by the year’s end.
The airline has made significant progress in its extensive cabin refurbishment program, having completed upgrades on 83 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft so far, as part of a comprehensive plan aimed at elevating the travel experience across various classes. He mentioned that premium economy is now available on 105 aircraft, reflecting increased passenger demand for this class and Emirates’ commitment to providing flexible travel options and high-quality products.
In support of its update program and to enhance local industrial capabilities, Al-Redha indicated that Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding with Safran during the Dubai Airshow last year to establish a state-of-the-art facility for manufacturing and assembling seats in Dubai.
The initial phase of this project will focus on producing business and economy class seats to meet the requirements of the cabin refurbishment program.
He added that delays in the delivery of Boeing 777X aircraft have necessitated Emirates to extend the service of some aircraft beyond their planned retirement, while ensuring the highest levels of safety and operational efficiency.