Emirates seeks to expand its routes, increase the use of sustainable fuel

Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East, is pushing to expand its routes to Europe, Asia and Africa, while coping with delays in new aircraft deliveries from Boeing and Airbus.

In an interview with The Circuit, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer and Deputy President, said the UAE flag carrier is also focused on increasing its use of reduced-carbon Sustainable Airline Fuel (SAF), though supplies remain low.

“While SAF remains a priority for us, it is currently too expensive, costing two to three times more than conventional jet fuel,” Kazim said during the interview last week on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit in Dubai. “However, we are committed to being part of the solution and will adopt SAF wherever it becomes commercially viable.”

Kazim, a 33-year veteran of the Dubai-based airline, has served in posts across the Middle East and Africa, including in Iran. Working beside Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the airline’s Chairman and CEO, and Emirates President Tim Clark, Kazem has led fleet planning, market expansion, governmental relations and a range of other tasks at the carrier.

The interview was edited for length and clarity.

The Circuit: What are some of the challenges you face as Emirates plans for future growth and new destinations?

Adnan Kazim: There is a lot of volatility in the global market, including currency devaluations and fluctuating fuel prices, but we are managing these challenges effectively. When entering new markets, our decisions are based on demand, stability, and the value these destinations bring to our network and to Dubai.

A key part of our strategy is connecting people to Dubai. Major events hosted in the city, such as those involving 150 participating countries, align with our role in bringing travelers from across our network. Dubai’s tourism sector is thriving, with 18.7 million tourists recently reported, reflecting the success of the city’s strategy and our contribution to it.

Sustainable fuel is becoming a more significant focus in aviation. How is this affecting Emirates commercially?

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is a core part of our strategy. We have committed $200 million to research and development in sustainability. However, SAF is not yet a commercially viable option due to its limited availability. Currently, only a few airports, such as Singapore, Amsterdam, Norway, and London Heathrow, supply SAF and in very small quantities. The challenge lies in the lack of refineries producing SAF at scale, making it difficult to integrate it into our operations.

While SAF remains a priority for us, it is currently too expensive, costing two to three times more than conventional jet fuel. However, we are committed to being part of the solution and will adopt SAF wherever it becomes commercially viable.

What can the industry do to address the cost of SAF and implement more sustainable practices?

A: Right now, the high cost of SAF is largely due to its scarcity and the limited number of refineries producing it. In the future, as production scales up and availability increases, we expect prices to stabilize. However, this requires collaboration between governments, academic institutions, and oil companies to build the necessary infrastructure and supply chains. It’s not just an airline issue—it requires a collective effort to create a sustainable future for aviation.

How is Emirates managing its expansion plans?

Our expansion strategy includes not only new routes but also increased frequencies on existing routes. We are particularly focused on growing our presence in Asia, Europe, and Africa as part of our financial year plans starting from April 1.

In 2024, we expanded into several new destinations, including Bogotá (via Miami), Adelaide (our fifth destination in Australia), Edinburgh in the UK, and Nampink (via Singapore). We also resumed flights to Lagos, Nigeria, and increased frequencies to 15 additional destinations. This growth trajectory will continue, with more destinations and frequencies to be announced in due course.