The rise of the Arabian Gulf carriers: An insight into the business model of Emirates Airline

Middle Eastern airlines are changing the dynamics of international aviation as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways are quickly emerging as the new global challengers. The region’s airports are also undergoing a rapid transformation to remain in line with the exponential traffic growth that is forecast. This paper examines the relentless growth of Emirates, and investigates the various strategies that underpin its core competencies, which are responsible for its 20 years of consecutive profitability. The paper establishes that the underlying formula for Emirates’ success is largely attributed to its hub and spoke operation, competitive cost structure and the strong leverage of its brand.