Emirates turns 32: A brief history of UAE's favourite airline

Dubai - Over 1,500 Emirates planes fly out of Dubai every week

October 25, 1985, marks a special day in the history of UAE. On this day, 32 years ago, the first Emirates flight took off. Flight number EK 600 flew with UAE royal dignitaries on board from Dubai to Karachi at 11.45am. Two other planes also took flight to the Indian cities of Mumbai and Delhi.

Today, Emirates has a fleet of over 230 aircraft, flying millions of passengers to over 150 destinations in more than 80 countries.

Let's look at the timeline of the airline's successful history:

1959

- dnata is established by the Dubai government with just five staff to provide ground handling services at the new Dubai International Airport.

1960

- His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, opens the airport and implements innovative open-skies policy.

1984

- Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Maurice Flanagan, director and general manager of dnata, discuss launching an airline in Dubai. Flanagan was among a 10-man team which produces a business plan for the new airline - to be named either Dubai Airlines or Emirates airline.

- Sheikh Mohammed opts for Emirates and the decision is made to build the airline on top of dnata, which was already the sales agent for 25 airlines.

1985

- Flanagan embarks on ambitious mission to launch an airline with $10 million in five months.

- Pakistan International Airlines agrees to wet-lease Emirates two aircraft.

- Deals are struck to fly into Karachi, New Delhi and Bombay.

- On October 25 Flight EK600 departs Dubai International for Karachi.

1987

- Deals are struck to fly into London's Gatwick Airport, as well as Istanbul, Frankfurt and Male, the capital of the Maldives.

- The Airbus A310-304 is designed to Emirates specifications, giving the airline the opportunity to fully implement its commitment to offering a superior flying experience than its rival.

1988

- Damascus is added to the Emirates route network, giving it a total 12 destinations in just 38 months of business.

1991

- As the airline celebrates its sixth anniversary, 25,000 passengers a week are being flown to 23 destinations.

1992

- Emirates becomes the first airline to install video systems in all seats in all classes throughout its fleet.

- Emirates convinces the French government to allow it to fly into Paris.

- $2 million terminal exclusive to Emirates is opened at Dubai International.

- Emirates becomes first airline to order a $20 million Airbus full-flight simulator.

1993

- Emirates becomes the first airline to introduce telecommunications on an Airbus - in all three classes.

1994

- Emirates is the first airline to equip an Airbus fleet with an on-flight fax facility

1995

- As the airline celebrates its 10th birthday, it has a fleet flying to 34 locations in the Middle East, Far East and Europe

1996

- Airline takes delivery of its first Boeing 777-200 and becomes the first airline to show live footage of take-off and landing. Its maiden flight to London is followed by Emirates' inaugural flight to Melbourne.

- Emirates becomes title sponsor of the world's richest horse racing event - the Dubai World Cup.

1997

- Emirates makes a $2 billion order for 16 Airbus A330-200s.

- Airline defies high fuel prices to again post record profits as passenger figures top three million and the cargo haul hits 150,000 tonnes.

- Emirates takes delivery of six Boeing 777-200s, giving it new long-haul capabilities

1998

- Emirates is voted Best Airline in the World at prestigious OAG Awards.

- The $540 million Terminal 2 is opened at Dubai International

1999

- Emirates enters the hotel property market with the opening of the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa.

- The first of 17 new generation Airbus A330-200s arrive in Dubai

- Emirates Group's workforce totals 11,000.

- Passenger arrivals at Dubai International hit the 11 million mark.

2000

- Emirates becomes the first airline to sign up for the Airbus A380 when it orders seven, with an option on five more, at the Farnborough Air Show

2001

- Emirates SkyCargo Centre - with a capacity to handle 400,000 tonnes a year - opens.

- Emirates signs £24 million deal to sponsor English Premiership football club Chelsea for four years.

2002

- Four million passengers vote in the Skytrax internet poll and Emirates is again named Airline of the Year.

- Global passenger levels drop by four per cent but Emirates figures rise 18.3 per cent to 6.8 million.

- Cargo across the world plunges nine per cent but Emirates enjoys an increase of 19.5 per cent to 400,000 tonnes.

- Group announces $275 million investment in new hangar complex at the Emirates Engineering Centre.

2004

- Emirates makes its first flight to North America - a non-stop 14-hour flight to New York's JFK Airport. This marked the first non-stop passenger service from the Middle East to North America.

2005

- Emirates Group workforce totals 25,000 people from 124 countries around the world, making it Dubai's biggest employer.

- Passenger traffic continues to rise with 12.5 million recorded in the year.

- Emirates orders 42 Boeing 777s in a deal worth $9.7 billion, the largest Boeing 777 order in history.

2008