Emirates (IATA: EK – ICAO: UAE – Callsign: Emirates) is the largest airline of the UAE. Its headquarters is located in the Dubai International Airport.
The operation of the Dubai Airport 24 hours a day and its location in the center of global travel help drive the growth of the airline, which in the past 20 years has seen an average annual growth of 25% in passenger traffic .
Towards the end of 2000, Emirates was planning to start long distance service to the East Coast and West Coast of the United States, as well as nonstop flights to Australia and Argentina.
Traffic continued to grow at a rate of 20% over the period 1999-2000. In 2001 he was elected Emirates Airline of the Year. During 2002, passenger numbers increased UAE by 18% to more than 6.8 million the previous year.
In the 2003 Paris Air Show, Emirates signed an order for 71 aircraft at a cost of U.S. $ 19 billion. The order includes firm orders to purchase an additional 21 Airbus 380-800s and lease orders two A380-800. Emirates has also announced operating lease orders for 26 Boeing 777-300ER – 14 of GE Capital Aviation Services and 12 of the International Lease Finance Corporation.