Emirates was founded in 1985 with two aircraft and government backing from Dubai.
The airline began operations on 25 October 1985, flying from Dubai to Karachi and Mumbai. Its initial fleet consisted of a leased Boeing 727-200 and an Airbus A300, supplied with support from Pakistan International Airlines during the startup period.
Emirates was created as Dubai developed its aviation and tourism strategy. Dubai International Airport became the airline’s main hub, and the carrier expanded by linking Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas through the emirate.
Emirates is often confused with Etihad Airways, which was founded in Abu Dhabi in 2003, or Qatar Airways, which is based in Doha. Those airlines are separate Gulf carriers. Emirates’ early history is specifically tied to Dubai and the year 1985.