Dubai/New Delhi, November 11, 2025
In a sky-high tribute to enduring partnerships, Emirates Airline marked four decades of soaring between India and the world on Monday, commemorating the exact date—October 25, 1985—when its inaugural flight touched down in Delhi, kickstarting a legacy that has ferried over 92 million passengers, hauled 700,000 tonnes of cargo, and woven the subcontinent into the fabric of global commerce. The celebrations, unfolding across nine Indian gateways amid Diwali's lingering glow, underscore not just aviation milestones but a symbiotic bond that's turbocharged tourism, tech talent flows, and trade ties— with the Dubai-based carrier now operating 167 weekly flights from hubs like Mumbai and Bengaluru, funneling travelers to over 140 destinations worldwide.
The journey began humbly: That first Emirates Boeing 737 from Dubai to Delhi carried just 101 passengers, a modest hop in an era when India's skies were dotted with state-run carriers and private aviation was a whisper. Fast-forward 40 years, and the airline has etched indelible marks across the nation. Mumbai, its busiest Indian port of call, has hosted over 95,000 flights and 24 million travelers since 1985, evolving into a launchpad for onward jaunts to U.S. powerhouses like New York and San Francisco. Delhi follows suit with 15 million passengers on 60,000-plus flights, channeling elite routes to Seattle, Toronto, and London. Iconic introductions abound: The double-decker A380, Emirates' crown jewel, debuted in Mumbai in 2014—drawing selfie hordes to its onboard showers and lounges—before gracing Bengaluru in 2022. Recent upgrades include Premium Economy cabins in key cities and the sleek A350's deployment to Ahmedabad and Mumbai, blending fuel efficiency with flair.
Today, Emirates' Indian footprint spans nine vibrant gateways: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram—cities pulsing with Bollywood dreams, silicon startups, and spice bazaars. From these hubs, the airline's young wide-body fleet—averaging under seven years old—whisks passengers to six continents, offering multilingual ice inflight entertainment (boasting 6,500 channels, including cricket marathons), regional curries, and Bollywood blockbusters. "India isn't just a market; it's the heartbeat of our network," reflected Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates' Vice President for India and Nepal, during a festive media briefing at Dubai International Airport, where Diwali lamps flickered alongside scale models of the airline's inaugural jet.
The anniversary revelry, timed to coincide with India's festive fervor, blends nostalgia with forward thrust. In Mumbai and Delhi, special onboard menus featured Diwali sweets like jalebi and gulab jamun from October 17-24, while lounges in select cities rolled out henna stations and cultural vignettes. Broader festivities echoed the "Emirates Loves India" ethos, with events showcasing UAE-India synergies—from art exhibitions to live bharatanatyam—attended by dignitaries and diaspora leaders. Sarhan, beaming amid the hoopla, quoted: "It is an incredible milestone to complete 40 years of serving India, a market that has been a cornerstone of our global operations. We are humbled by the continued trust that Indian travellers have placed in Emirates over the decades." He added that the partnership, forged on "mutual trust, respect, and a shared vision," has grown "from strength to strength."
Economically, Emirates has been an invisible engine: Since 2020 alone, its SkyCargo arm has shuttled 700,000 tonnes of freight to and from India—pharma vials from Hyderabad, mangoes from Mumbai, textiles from Chennai—bolstering a bilateral trade corridor that's ballooned to $160 billion annually. Tourism gets a turbo-boost too: Last year, over 1.5 million Indians flew Emirates to Dubai, many onward to Europe and the Americas, injecting Rs 50,000 crore into the sector amid a post-pandemic rebound eyeing 10 million inbound visitors by 2026. "These flights aren't just seats; they're bridges for NRIs, students, and CEOs chasing dreams abroad," noted aviation analyst Kapil Kaul of India Brand Equity Foundation.
Looking skyward, Emirates eyes bolder horizons. With India's aviation market projected to triple by 2030—fueled by a burgeoning middle class and UDAN schemes—the carrier pledges fleet modernizations, more A350s, and enhanced cargo holds to tap e-commerce booms. "As we expand, we remain committed to delivering world-class service, seamless connectivity, and a superior flying experience," Sarhan affirmed, hinting at potential new routes to secondary cities like Goa or Jaipur. Amid geopolitical headwinds and fuel volatilities, the airline's Dubai hub—handling 90 million passengers yearly—positions India as a linchpin in its 140-destination web.
As fireworks lit Dubai's skyline in echo of Delhi's Diwali bursts, Emirates' 40-year saga reminds: In the rarefied air of ambition, some bonds defy gravity. For millions of Indians, that first flight in 1985 wasn't just a landing—it was liftoff.
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