Emirates is one of the world’s leading airlines… but did you know that when they were founded that they got help from another airline in the world? PIA, Pakistan International Airlines, offered crucial support to the airline when it first began and has since been a close partner ever since.
Emirates was founded way back in 1984 as a response to Gulf Air cutting back on routes to Dubai. Gulf Air became concerned that it was just sending through passengers from regional areas to Dubai, only for them to board a competitor long-haul flight to Europe and Asia.
Thus the government of Dubai decided to make their own airline in order to ensure connectivity to the region. But, despite having the funding to do so, the airline lacked critical expertise and, obviously, aircraft.
Maurice Flanagan was brought onboard with the ambitious mission to launch an airline for Dubai in just five months and only with $10 million seed funding.
Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
But without staff or even aircraft, how could he make a new airline so quickly?
In stepped Pakistan International Airlines.
The new venture approached PIA with its idea of a new airline and asked for as much support as they could lend. With the budget of $10 million, Emirates would be able to rent two aircraft, receive administrative support and engineering assistance in running the airline
The two aircraft that the new airline Emirates rented were:
- A Boeing 737–300
- An Airbus A300B4-200
It would use these first aircraft to open a route to Karachi, Pakistan.
The two planes would be operated by PIA but with Emirates livery. As Emirates didn’t have any crew or staff yet, they would be flown by PIA pilots and with their crew on board. With the additional training provided by PIA, new crew members would slowly be recruited by Emirates.
But Emirates would not have its own airline fleet until 1987 when they got their first owned aircraft, an Airbus A310. They would use this plane to open up a route to London by the end of the year.
Emirates has had fantastic success and become one of the biggest power-players in the aviation industry, but they can’t forget their humble beginnings and PIA gave them a step up right at the start.
