Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, expects a rapid recovery from the disruption caused by the Iran conflict, with president Sir Tim Clark signalling confidence in both demand and profitability despite weeks of operational strain.

Speaking at the CAPA Airline Leader Summit in Berlin via videolink on Thursday, Clark said the airline’s performance would rebound quickly once the situation stabilises.

“If a solution is found and this goes away in the next two to four weeks, by the end of the summer, nobody will remember what has happened,” he said.

Emirates and other carriers across the UAE and wider region scaled back operations after the conflict broke out on February 28, disrupting key air corridors and forcing airlines to cancel flights and reroute services.

Clark said Emirates is currently operating at around 65 per cent of its capacity, with parts of its network still inaccessible due to ongoing airspace restrictions.

The disruption has been particularly acute around critical transit routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a key global aviation and shipping corridor.

Despite this, Clark made clear the airline’s operating model remains unchanged.

“I don’t think things will change how we operate the airline or this model,” he said. “We can get this back — the brand is particularly strong.”

Demand remains resilient

Even as airlines cut capacity and adjust routes, Clark said passenger demand has held up, helping to underpin Emirates’ recovery outlook.

The broader aviation sector has been hit by both operational disruption and rising costs, with oil prices climbing above $100 a barrel during the conflict, pushing up jet fuel prices and squeezing margins globally.

Clark, however, said Emirates is not concerned about fuel availability and expects demand to absorb higher operating costs.

Despite the sharp impact in March, Clark indicated that Emirates remains on course to deliver strong financial performance this year.

“This year, despite March being wiped out because of the crisis, we still improved our financial metrics by some country mile. We will be the most profitable airline of the year, as you will hear soon,” he said.

Emirates, which is not publicly listed and reports as part of the Emirates Group, typically releases its financial results twice a year, with full-year earnings announced in May and half-year results in November.

For the 2024-25 period, Emirates recorded a profit before tax of Dhs22.7bn and revenue of Dhs145.4bn.

Daman Securities, a UAE-based brokerage firm and a wholly owned subsidiary of Daman Investments, has been granted a licence by the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) to offer derivatives trading, marking a key step in the continued development and diversification of the UAE’s capital markets.

Established in 1998, Daman Securities brings more than 27 years of experience in regional markets, combining local expertise with a client-focused approach to deliver tailored investment solutions.

The move aligns with DFM’s broader strategy to enhance market infrastructure and expand its suite of financial instruments. The introduction of derivatives is expected to support greater market efficiency, improve price discovery, and attract a wider base of investors, while reinforcing transparency and regulatory oversight.

By participating in the derivatives segment, Daman Securities aims to contribute to a more dynamic and diversified trading environment, offering investors additional tools to navigate evolving market conditions.

Shehab Gargash, founder and chairman of Daman Securities, said: “This milestone reflects our long-term belief in the strength and resilience of the UAE economy and our commitment to supporting its continued growth. The development of the market, including the introduction of derivatives, is an important step in building a more robust and sophisticated financial ecosystem”.

Khalifa Rabba, chief operating officer of Dubai Financial Market (DFM), said: “The expansion of derivatives trading reflects the continued evolution of DFM’s market ecosystem and the growing investor demand for a wide range of investment solutions. Strengthening this segment enhances liquidity, supports effective risk management, and broadens investor access, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a leading capital markets hub.”

The addition of derivatives trading complements Daman Securities’ existing services, enabling the firm to expand its offering to institutional and high-net-worth clients while supporting ongoing market development initiatives in the UAE.

Aldar Properties has acquired an industrial and logistics portfolio in Abu Dhabi’s KEZAD zone from a subsidiary of AD Ports Group for Dhs650m ($177m), the company said on Tuesday.

The transaction covers 163,000 square metres of income-generating warehouse space within Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD), with current occupancy at 97 per cent, Aldar said in a statement.

The portfolio comprises three multi-let warehouses in the Al Ma’mourah cluster, serving around 80 tenants across sectors including logistics, food and beverage, manufacturing and technology.

Major tenants include DHL, Spinneys and Noatum Logistics.

Aldar’s second deal with AD Ports in KEZAD

The acquisition marks Aldar’s second deal with AD Ports in KEZAD, following its purchase of warehouse assets linked to Noon and Emtelle in November 2025, as it expands its presence in the emirate’s industrial real estate segment.

Aldar said the deal reflects its strategy to grow exposure to logistics and industrial assets, citing strong demand driven by the UAE’s position as a regional trade and manufacturing hub.

Following the transaction, Aldar’s industrial and logistics portfolio exceeds 700,000 square metres, with a development pipeline of more than 1.5 million square metres of leasable space.

AD Ports said the sale forms part of its asset monetisation strategy, allowing it to recycle capital into new infrastructure projects while strengthening its balance sheet.

KEZAD, located near Khalifa Port and connected to major highways and rail infrastructure, is one of the largest integrated industrial zones in the region and a key logistics hub for Abu Dhabi.

Salik Company (Salik), Dubai’s exclusive toll gate operator, has signed a strategic partnership with Valtrans Transportation Systems and Services (Valtrans) to enable digital payment for valet parking services across its network of locations in the UAE.

Under the agreement, Salik will be integrated as a seamless digital payment option across Valtrans-operated sites, allowing users to pay valet parking fees through their Salik e-Wallet at more than 100 locations nationwide. These include major retail, commercial and entertainment destinations such as Mall of the Emirates and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The integration is supported by advanced digital capabilities aimed at enhancing the efficiency of valet operations and payment processes, particularly in high-traffic environments. The move further positions Salik as a key enabler of smart mobility, expanding its role beyond tolling into broader, data-driven mobility solutions.

Ibrahim Sultan Al Haddad, Chief Executive Officer of Salik, stated: “This strategic partnership marks a key milestone in advancing Salik’s smart mobility ecosystem by expanding the scope of seamless digital payment solutions across everyday mobility touchpoints. Through our strategic partnerships, we continue to leverage our advanced infrastructure to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions that simplify journeys, enhance service integration, and reinforce Salik’s role as a trusted enabler of sustainable mobility in the UAE.”

Imad Alameddine, Group Chief Executive Officer of Valtrans, said: “This partnership provides our customers with an easier and more seamless way to pay for valet parking services across our network of locations in the UAE. By adopting Salik as a payment option, we aim to enhance transaction efficiency while maintaining a consistently high standard of service, in line with our commitment to operational excellence, innovation, and service quality.”

The partnership aligns with Salik’s strategy to expand its portfolio of value-added digital services, supporting a more connected and efficient mobility ecosystem through flexible and scalable payment solutions.

It also builds on Salik’s broader expansion into mobility services beyond tolling. The company previously introduced barrier-free parking payments in partnership with Emaar Malls Company, followed by a collaboration with Parkonic, which is now operational at more than 150 locations. Salik has also partnered with Dubai Airports to enable seamless parking payments via its e-Wallet at Dubai International Airport, covering Terminals 1, 2, 3 and the Cargo Terminal.

Valtrans, which has more than 20 years of operational experience, provides valet parking services across airports, hospitality, retail, healthcare and public-sector locations, managing high-volume operations with a focus on service continuity, control and reliability.