Emirates is the symbol of Dubai’s dynamism, reports L’Express.

Emirates is the symbol of Dubai’s dynamism, reports L’Express. Next July 28, it will take delivery of its first Airbus A380 in Hamburg. The airline has ordered 58 superjumbos in total -worth more than $ 20Bn. “We could easily have ordered twice more”, boasts Tim Clark, the company’s CEO. Today, Emirates operates 118 aircraft and carries 21 million passengers to 100 destinations. Mr Clark wants to make of Dubai one of the world’s most powerful hubs. “Dubai is at the centre of the world”, he explains, looking at a map. Though Emirates is less exposed to high kerosene bills than its Western rivals, Mr Clark agrees the skyrocketing oil price is a “genuine threat”. Yet, this does not prevent his company from accelerating its growth pace. In 2007 alone, it ordered 180 aircraft for $ 58Bn. L’Express (24/07)