Emirates Airline saw its net profit nearly quadruple in the first half of its financial year, but warned that stiff competition would put pressure on the aviation industry in the second half.
The carrier reported 1H net income of AED862 million ($235 million), up 282% year-over-year (YOY) compared to AED226 million a year ago. Overall Emirates Group net income rose 8% to AED1.2 billion. 
“This result was driven by increased agility in capacity deployment, with healthy customer demand for Emirates’ products driving improved seat load factors and better margins,” the group said Nov. 7. 
Revenue for the period was down, however, declining 3% to AED47.3 billion at the airline and 2% to AED53.3 billion at the group. The lower revenue was primarily the result of planned capacity reductions during the 45-day southern runway closure at Dubai International Airport, and unfavorable currency movements in Europe, Australia, South Africa, India and Pakistan, the group said.
The coming months could also pose challenges, group CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said.