EMIRATES’ Indonesia operations achieved strong results last year, and is also expected to register double-digit growth for the fiscal year ahead (April 2011-March 2012), despite the political turmoil in the Middle East and escalating fuel prices.
Emirates manager – Indonesia, Mohammed Al Nahari, told the media on the sidelines of Emirates’ 2010-2011 Annual Report global media teleconference yesterday: “We posted strong double-digit growth last year despite global challenges such as the volcanic ash cloud (in Europe) and increasing oil prices.”
“Our average load factor was still around 80 per cent, and we managed to double capacity between Jakarta and Dubai to twice-daily direct flights in March last year.”
Al Nahari said the recent political situation in some Middle Eastern countries was “as challenging for Emirates as it was for any other airline”.
“It affected the student market (to Egypt), which is a good market for us, and also the outbound religious and leisure markets from Indonesia,” he said. “However, as conditions improve, we are putting back flights and expect that the market will rebound soon.”
Al Nahari is targeting business growth of between 25 per cent and 30 per cent for the next fiscal year. He said Indonesia’s current economic and political stability should result in stronger inbound and outbound traffic.
The fact that Emirates dropped its fuel surcharge (which costs around US$100 to Europe) a few days ago would make the airline more attractive to consumers, he added.
