HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum
or nearly four decades, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum has been at the helm of one of the most remarkable success stories in global aviation. At the helm of the Emirates Airline and Group since its inception in 1985, Sheikh Ahmed has shaped Emirates into the world's most profitable airline and a flagship of Dubai Inc's rise as a global hub for trade, tourism, and finance.
In FY 2024–25, under his leadership, the Emirates Group recorded its best-ever financial results — a pre-tax profit of Dhs22.7bn, revenue of Dhs145.4bn, and record cash reserves of Dhs53.4b. Emirates alone carried nearly 54 million passengers, launched a $5bn retrofit programme, and prepared for delivery of new Airbus A350s and Boeing 777 freighters. The group declared a dividend of Dhs6bn to its owner, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) — a testament to the strategic value it continues to generate.
Sheikh Ahmed's aviation career began as president of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, the same year Emirates was launched with just two leased aircraft. Today, Emirates operates over 260 aircraft, serves over 100 destinations. The transformation of Dubai International Airport into the world's fourth busiest, the creation of Dubai World Central (DWC), and the rise of flydubai — all bear his imprint.
His influence extends well beyond aviation. Sheikh Ahmed chairs Dubai Airports, Dubai Holding, Emirates NBD, flydubai, and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. He also plays a pivotal role in shaping Dubai's fiscal and investment strategies and serves as a global ambassador for Dubai's economic ambitions.
A graduate of the University of Denver, Sheikh Ahmed has been recognised by institutions such as the Royal Aeronautical Society and serves as a patron of several charitable causes. Despite overseeing a vast portfolio of entities, his leadership is anchored in
clear principles: long-term value creation, customer-centricity, talent investment, and unwavering resilience through global headwinds.
As the Emirates Group gears up for a future shaped by new technologies, infrastructure, and expansion, Sheikh Ahmed remains one of the Gulf's most iconic and enduring chief executives — a symbol of Dubai's bold vision and its global aviation leadership.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
21 minutes ago
- Zawya
Kuwait expands family visit visa to 3 months with extension path to 1 year
Kuwait - First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah confirmed in a telephone call with Editor-in-Chief of the Arab Times and Al-Seyassah newspapers Ahmed Al-Jarallah that the directives he gave to those in charge of the 'Kuwait Visa' platform to address negative aspects will be implemented as of Tuesday. This is part of a vital move towards opening up to the world and making Kuwait a tourist and commercial destination, as well as a swift response to the comments of citizens and expatriates regarding the 'Kuwait Visa' platform, part of which was published by the newspaper on Monday. University degree rule scrapped as visa policy eases Visit visa pricing heads to Cabinet for final say Visa access no longer tied to national carrier The State is not a marketer for airlines Gov't eyes return of airlines that withdrew from market Tourism and trade drive Kuwait Visa platform overhaul During the telephone call, the First Deputy Prime Minister revealed a package of measures – some of which took effect on Monday, while others are still being finalized. These measures include the abolition of the local carrier requirement and the introduction of a three-month visit visa, instead of a single, multiple-entry visa. The visa can be extended for six months or one year. Visitors simply pay the required fees and choose their preferred option, especially since violations in this regard are few. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef asserted, 'We are building a huge airport and we want to bring back all airlines that have left the local market. Our objective is to market Kuwait as a whole.' He explained the cancellation of the local carrier requirement by indicating that the State is not a marketer for airlines; they must market themselves. Regarding kinship, the First Deputy Prime Minister disclosed, 'We have made room for it to be up to the fourth degree, which did not exist previously. Starting Tuesday, the university degree requirement is cancelled.' He added that 'those with security restrictions will be immediately notified and they must defend themselves. It is not within the purview of the platform or its administrators to address this matter. This is practiced in all other countries around the world, especially the Gulf countries.' He confirmed that he reviewed all the comments, along with the ministry's staff and the platform administrators on Monday. He stated 'we accept the comments with open hearts, because our goal is to make Kuwait a leader. Therefore, everything raised will be developed from Tuesday. We will push toward facilitating procedures and adopting whatever serves Kuwait.' On the fees, the Minister of Interior revealed 'we will present the fees for visits to the Council of Ministers on Tuesday for approval, as well as the measures that will facilitate Kuwait's openness to the world as soon as possible, to avoid any inconvenience or obstacles.' Asked about those who do not add value to the country's commercial activity or groups that accumulate without any purpose, he pointed out that 'The logical conditions set in this regard prohibit them from visiting Kuwait unless they can support themselves or their sponsor has such ability. Otherwise, they should remain in their countries.' Emphasizing that his intention for the 'Kuwait Visa' platform is to be an important reference, superior to its counterparts in the region, the Minister of Interior concluded his phone call with the editor-in-chief by saying, 'I reiterate that the State is open to any comments. The objective is to develop the platform and achieve everything that makes our country a tourist and commercial destination. As we said earlier, perfection belongs to Allah alone; thus, the platform will be developed whenever necessary.' Given the above and under the directives of the Kuwaiti immigration and civil aviation authorities, Middle East Airlines is now permitted to carry all passengers holding a family visit visa (that only Kuwaiti airlines were previously permitted to carry).
Zawya
21 minutes ago
- Zawya
Saudi: Yamama Cement posts 32% surge in H1-25 net profits
Riyadh - Yamama Cement Company achieved 31.77% higher net profits at SAR 263.08 million in the first half (H1) of 2025, compared to SAR 199.65 million in H1-24. The revenues hiked by 37.49% to SAR 711.41 million in the first six months (6M) of 2025 from SAR 517.43 million in the same period a year earlier, according to the financial results. The earnings per share (EPS) stood at SAR 1.30 in H1-25, against SAR 0.99 in H1-24. Financials for Q2 In the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, Yamama Cement's net profits widened by 43% to SAR 121 million from SAR 84.61 million in Q2-24. Sales hit SAR 362.38 million in April-June 2025, marking an annual jump of 48.68% from SAR 243.72 million. On a quarterly basis, the Q2-25 net profits declined by 14.83% compared to SAR 142.07 million in Q1-25, while the revenues increased by 3.82% compared to SAR 349.02 million. All Rights Reserved - Mubasher Info © 2005 - 2025 Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
21 minutes ago
- Zawya
Oman: License must for Oil and Gas professions from September
Muscat: The Ministry of Labour has announced the implementation of mandatory licensing requirements for individuals practising specific professions in Oman's Energy and Minerals Sector, effective from September 1, 2025. The move is part of ongoing efforts to regulate the labour market, enhance workforce efficiency, and align professional standards with national objectives. According to the Ministry, all current employees and new appointees in the listed professions must obtain a professional practice licence through the Oman Energy Association, represented by the Sector Skills Unit for the Energy and Minerals Sector. This licence will be a prerequisite for the issuance or renewal of work permits. The Ministry has clarified that it will not grant work permits for these professions unless a valid professional practice licence is submitted. Establishments employing individuals in these roles are urged to take necessary measures to ensure compliance with the new regulations. The list of affected professions includes roles such as HSE Advisors, Crane Operators, Forklift Operators, Excavator Operators, Mechanical and Electrical Technicians, Drillers, Welders, and other specialised technical positions. A total of 43 job titles are specified under the professional licensing requirement. This initiative aims to enhance the qualifications of the national workforce, uphold safety standards, and ensure that all professionals operating in key sectors possess the necessary certifications to perform their duties. Here's the full list of professions under the mandatory licensing requirement for Oman's Energy and Minerals (Oil & Gas) Sector as per the announcement: HSE Advisorn Mobile Crane Operatorn Telescopic Handler Operatorn Forklift Operatorn Excavator Operatorn MEWP Operatorn Slinger/Signaller/RNBn Overhead Crane Operatorn Vehicle Marshaln Lifting Supervisorn Appointed Personn Mud Testern Facilities Maintenance Craftspersonn Manual Weldern Mechanical Craftspersonn Assistant Drillern Building Maintenance Techniciann Automated Mechanized Welding Operatorn Machine Operatorn CNC Machine Operatorn Electrical Craftspersonn Facilities Maintenance Fittern Sheet Metalworkern Drillern Production Assemblern Machinistn Instrument Craftspersonn Roustaboutn Facilities Maintenance Techniciann Plate Workern Mechanical Techniciann Floormann Structural Steelworkern CNC Machinistn Electrical Techniciann Pipe and Tube Fabricatorn Derrickmann Instrument Techniciann Tool Pushern Welding Assistantn Machine Tool Techniciann Fitting and Assembly Techniciann Pipe and Fitting Assembling Technician 2025 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
