How Dubai Calling A Bluff Ultimately Gave Birth To Emirates
Emirates is the ultimate testament to how Dubai can turn ANYTHING into gold.
Tourism Expert, Mohammed Hersi recently shared a tweet on how Emirates, that luxurious giant of the skies, came into existence.
Focused leadership can turn anything into gold.
So here’s a quick recap on how this airline was born and became one of the top players in the global aviation game!
Focused leadership can turn anything into gold .
In 1985 UAE / Dubai did not have their own airline. Gulf Air then served entire GCC including Dubai. Gulf Air even had an office at Ambalal house in Mombasa. It was The Airline .
Gulf Air was handling 80% of the traffic into… pic.twitter.com/bqvbQXEPMC
— Mohammed Hersi : Mr Optimist (@mohammedhersi) July 31, 2023
Emirates came into existence back in 1985: UAE didn’t have its own airline at the time. Gulf Air was the big boss, handling all the air traffic in the GCC, including Dubai
But things got tricky when other airlines wanted a piece of the action, and Gulf Air felt their dominance slipping away.
So, they played hardball, giving Dubai an ultimatum to stop licensing more flights and even cancel some existing ones. But Dubai wasn’t about to back down from a challenge. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai had a brilliant vision:
‘Turn Dubai into a global hub that serves the entire world, not just the GCC’
With gutsy determination, Emirates was born, thanks to a modest $10 million USD from the royal family
They took two planes on lease from Pakistan International Airlines, and that’s how it all started.
In October 1985, Emirates’ inaugural flights took off, heading to Karachi, Pakistan, and Mumbai, India. It was the start of something big, but they had some catching up to do with South Africa Airways and Kenya Airways.
As years passed, Emirates soared to new heights through strategic partnerships and bold investments. It rapidly expanded its fleet and route network, connecting Dubai to various destinations across the world.
Emirates wasn’t just another airline; it was all about luxury, glitz, and glam. Their cabins were fit for royalty, and their services were top-notch
People fell head over heels for the Emirates experience, and the airline soon became one of the world’s leading air carriers.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s visionary leadership made all the difference
He saw competition as a chance to grow, not something to fear. In his book “Flashes of Thought,” he championed competition over protectionism for a country’s development.
“Dubai they don’t consider airlines a threat, they consider them a blessing” – Mohammed Hersi.
*In the 37th chapter of his latest book, “Qissati,” HH Sheikh Mohammed unveils the fascinating story of how he established Emirates airline and its remarkable journey to becoming a global leader.
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