- Emirates chair Tim Clark has forecast a strong decade ahead for air travellers
- Airlines are investing heavily in cabin upgrades and more than 10,000 aircraft are on order
- Clark remains optimistic about growth
- He expressed hope of launching services from Berlin in early April
- Emirates plans to fly its A380 fleet until around 2040
Emirates chair Tim Clark, who has a home in Lismore in Waterford, has forecast a strong decade ahead for air travellers despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. Speaking to journalists in Berlin, he reported airlines are investing heavily in cabin upgrades and more than 10,000 aircraft are on order. Clark remains optimistic about growth and expressed hope of launching services from Berlin in early April though discussions continue.
Clark dismissed predictions that corporate travel is in a structural decline. He expects a surge in global traffic as soon as current regional tensions in the Middle East abate. The airline is targeting secondary and third-tier cities across China and India alongside expansion in Africa, South America and North America. Future US routes under consideration include Denver, Detroit and Philadelphia.
Emirates plans to fly its Airbus A380 fleet until around 2040. Next-generation fuel-efficient aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X and 787 will be deployed to efficiently service thinner long-haul routes. The carrier is investing in technology and premium comforts including free Starlink internet across its fleet and exploring ultra-luxury upgrades such as en-suite bathrooms for first-class suites. Emirates is operating at 91pc pre-conflict capacity with weekly revenues in late 2026 surpassing record-breaking figures of 2025.
Tim Clark shared “I expect a massive surge in global traffic as soon as current regional tensions in the Middle East abate.”
