Emirates airline could become the world's largest long-haul carrier by 2012 (by seats), according a recent study, the UAE news agency "WAM" reported. An analysis by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) predicts Emirates will pose a formidable challenge to Asian and European carriers after it triples its capacity over the next eight years through new orders and bigger planes, citing low labour costs, 24-hour flying schedule and optimal geographic location as ingredients of its success. Emirates, currently the eighth largest carrier of international traffic, will expand its fleet of 102 aircraft with 47 Airbus A380 super jumbos over the next few years. The airline's net profits rose 25 per cent in 2006, to Dh3.1 billion (US$844 million). "It would be risky for a competitor to assume that [Emirates and Qatar Airways] will not have the resolve to implement their aggressive plans," noted the study, which was quoted in a recent article in Aviation Week. --MORE
