Emirates rules out joining airline alliance

Airline Industry Information, April 28, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Dubai-based airline Emirates has reportedly ruled out joining any of the major airline alliances and has called them 'dysfunctional'.

The carrier ruled out any move to join any of the alliances that it had been courted by in the medium term, after announcing a net profit of USD476m - a rise of 67% over the last 12 months.

Emirates said that is constantly monitoring the three major partnerships in the industry which were formed to cut costs by cooperating in the design and purchase of goods and services, including aircraft and maintenance, but dismissed claims that it risked losing codeshare partnerships as other airlines were drawn into the alliances, reported The Financial Times.

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