Emirates Airline Reports 12 Percent Increase in Inflight Catering Costs Amid Record Profits
Here's what it means for you.
As Emirates invests in premium services, your travel experience may improve, but costs could reflect in ticket prices.
What happened
Emirates Airline reported a 12 percent increase in inflight catering costs to Dh5.316 billion for the financial year ending March 31, 2026.
The Context
- Record profits: Emirates posted a profit after tax of Dh19.7 billion, reinforcing its status as the world's most profitable airline.
- Service expansion: The airline expanded its network to 152 cities, enhancing passenger experience with new destinations and cabin retrofits.
- Competitive landscape: Rising catering costs are part of a broader trend in the aviation sector, where service differentiation is key to attracting premium passengers.
The Number
— This figure represents inflight catering and services expenditure for FY 2025-26, accounting for 4.9% of total operating costs, highlighting the airline's commitment to enhancing passenger experience.
Takeaway
Expect continued investment in inflight services as Emirates aims to maintain its competitive edge in the aviation market.
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Emirates’ inflight catering bill rises 12% to Dh5.3 billion
Emirates Airlines has reported a 12% increase in its inflight catering expenses, totaling approximately Dh5.3 billion for the financial year 2025-2026, which translates to an average daily expenditure of Dh14.6 million on passenger meals. This rise r...
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Emirates’ inflight catering bill rises 12% to Dh5.3 billion
Emirates Airlines has reported a 12% increase in its inflight catering expenses, totaling approximately Dh5.3 billion for the financial year 2025-2026, which translates to an average daily expenditure of Dh14.6 million on passenger meals. This rise r...
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Emirates spent Dh14.6 million a day on passenger meals in 2025-26
Emirates Airlines reported a significant increase in its food and beverage expenses, totaling approximately Dh5.316 billion for the financial year 2025-2026, which translates to Dh14.6 million spent daily on passenger meals. This figure marks a 12% r...
Arabic-language economic and business reporting with strong UAE market relevance.
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5.3 مليارات درهم فاتورة الطعام والشراب على رحلات «طيران الإمارات» 5.3 مليارات درهم فاتورة الطعام والشراب على رحلات «طيران الإمارات»
Emirates Airlines reported a significant increase in the cost of meals and beverages provided to passengers, reaching approximately 5.3 billion dirhams, marking a rise of 570 million dirhams or 12% during the fiscal year 2025-2026.