Emirates to keep flying to Russia

The company announced it will keep operating routes to Russia unless the government in Dubai says otherwise.

As most international airlines called off service to Russia due to the Western sanctions imposed since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Emirates announced it will continue flying to destinations such as Moscow and St. Petersburg until its owner, the United Arab Emirates government, demands operations to stop.

"If we are told to stop we will stop, unless we are told otherwise, we will continue," Emirates president Sir Tim Clarke declared, while highlighting that the Russian population should not be held responsible for the ongoing war.

"We are catering to people who are on the periphery of the main issue here, and that is probably the way the government looks at it", he added.

Besides commercial flights, the airline also transports cargo, as well as humanitarian supplies, food and medical stocks included.

So far, the UAE and Saudi Arabia have refused to impose sanctions over Russia. Abu Dhabi also abstained during the United Nations Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council votes.

According to Sir Tim Clarke, the war in Ukraine could have significant implications for the worldwide airline industry.

"This [war] will have major manifestations of perhaps disadvantage for both sides. And this will have an impact on the industry.

"Irrespective of that, people are ready to pay the prices that we have to charge to cover this enormous increase in the fuel price," he commented, as Brent, for example, one of the main oil traders has been selling above $100 due to the war.

Moreover, the industry’s revenue during 2022 is expected to be considerably lower due to huge oil prices, as jet fuel equals for a quarter of an air carrier’s expenditures.

However, despite all the situation linked to the war and the Covid-19 global pandemic, Emirates has been registering significant profit during the last 6 months, thanks to "roaring" demand. The company was also helped by the government in Dubai, with $3.1bn investments set to boost Emirates activity following the pandemic grounding.

Currently the airline is aiming to employ up to 4.000 cabin crew staff as well as pilots in order to cope with the increasing travel demand.

"If we can have all our aircraft flying today, 270 of them then we would. I can't because I am just short of crew," Emirates president concluded.

source: bbc.com