You are currently in the Archives section. Please be aware that some information and links in the archived page may be outdated.

Click here to return to the Archives' main page to see the list of archived articles.

A R C H I V E S

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL REPORT

CELEBRATION IN THE SKY
by Geoffrey Arend

    At Seventeen, EK Knows What Great Means.
    They celebrated a milestone in Dubai Friday October 25, as Emirates Airlines (EK) marked seventeen years of service.
    But this is no ordinary teenager. In less time than it takes to tell about it Emirates, the airline, SkyCargo the high-tech, time-driven logistics provider, and Dubai the international airport have risen in

Ram Menen

spectacular and steady fashion to the very top of world commercial aviation.
    But forget about the 100 plus awards, the high-tech gizmo IT approach, the wealth of new aircraft orders, plans to launch service to North America in Summer 2003, and the rest.
    What we like best about Emirates Airlines is the sense of purpose and excitement that the airline has brought to aviation.
    Put another way, at times even when elsewhere in this business everybody seems tired, EK is fresh.
    Think about it.
    After the horror of 9/11 it was Emirates that stepped up to the plate and reaffirmed its faith in the future with big orders for new Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
    It was also Emirates that moved boldly to maintain schedules and services after others chopped flights and schedules during the aftermath of 9/11 and the world economic slowdown of 2002.
    Emirates Airlines is excitement in this business, a superstar of an airline company always putting forth the attitude of purpose and a plan. Even as others are drawing down, EK continues to build its future.
    New freighter frequencies from Dubai to Shanghai, for example speak of a carrier that is on the cutting edge of what’s next for air commerce as it positions itself in China, the fastest growing market in the world.
    One look at SkyCargo’s fantastic website says in a flash that you have entered a brave new world of what’s important and next in air freight (www.sky-cargo.com)
    Friday morning October 25, 1985 was a day that was, as Fridays still are, normally set aside for prayer, reflective family time and rest, in the weekly calendar throughout Arabia, much in the same fashion as Sunday is, in America.
    But this October 25th would be like no other.
    Just after morning prayers, a lone B737 on lease from Pakistan International Airways thundered down the main runway at Dubai international Airport enroute to Karachi as a new chapter in the history of the airlines of the Middle East was born.
    Today, that fledgling carrier is Emirates, the premier carrier of the region and one of the most admired airlines in the world. With a modern fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft and more than 50 destinations, EK is very much an airline of the 21st century.
    Ram Menen, who heads up SkyCargo recalls a career that began back when Emirates, the airline was not a cinch to succeed:
    “We used to have our cargo sheds just along the runways at DXB. “Although we didn’t operate them for very long, EK cut its teeth flying B727s to our first short-haul destinations.
    “When that tri-jet took off, the aircraft passed by our cargo operations so close that you thought you could hand out tickets right there. The entire corrugated metal cargo building alongside the runway shook.”
    Looking over the big ultramodern airport with SkyCargo’s huge automated cargo center that dominates Cargo Village at DXB, Mr. Menen seemed a bit proud, if vaguely still not quite satisfied.
    “We’ve come a long way in 17 years with much more to come.
    “Our first Airbus A380 super jumbo aircraft flight from North America will depart from Toronto on Sunday November 1, 2009 at 2240 hrs.,” said Tim Clark, chief director for the airline.
    Is that true we wonder? Can you project a flight where service doesn’t even exist, this far in advance?
    Tim Clark smiles. “Our new Moscow/ Dubai A330 nonstops commence April 2, 2007 at 18:45 hours.”
    Other service start-ups in the meantime are planned.
    But Mr. Clark’s point is well taken.
    While markets of opportunity will be recognized, nothing will deter this company from its long term plan and destiny, of developing itself into one of the great airline companies in the history of commercial aviation.
    “Watch us,” Tim Clark says.
    As the now almost endless procession of cream whiteliveried EK aircraft billboarded with the name ‘Emirates’ and no cheat line, but featuring a stylized fluid United Arab Emirates flag swept back upon each aircraft tail readies to depart DXB, every single flight seems to celebrate this airline’s bold march to tomorrow.
    It’s the best show in town.