Leadership team

Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum began his aviation career in 1985, when he was appointed President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation. In the same year, he became Chairman of the newly founded Emirates, and helmed the launch of the airline with two leased aircraft to two destinations from Dubai. Today, he leads the Emirates Group, which includes dnata.

Emirates is now an award-winning global airline with an extensive network that covers six continents. The airline has the world's largest fleet of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s.

dnata is one of the world's largest air services providers and operates in airports globally. Offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and flight catering services across six continents, dnata is a trusted partner for over 300 airline customers worldwide.

Sheikh Ahmed has contributed immensely to Dubai's global stature as a leading business, tourism, trade and transport hub. With several leadership roles in government, his role in the formulation of policies and strategies has helped strengthen Dubai's vision, economy, communities and culture. He is a patron of many charitable organisations and has won prestigious national and international accolades.

Sheikh Ahmed has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver, Colorado, USA. The Royal Aeronautical Society honoured his achievements in aviation with a fellowship at the 1994 Farnborough Air Show, UK. In May 2013, he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Science from City University London – Cass Business School.

President, Emirates Airline

Mr Clark is President Emirates Airline, a position he has held since 2003.

During his tenure, Mr Clark has driven Emirates’ rapid growth into the world’s largest international airline serving 130 cities on six continents via its hub in Dubai. He has also steered the airline through multiple ups and downs in the aviation industry, including a remarkable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic into record profitability.

He has been in the civil aviation business for his whole professional career, having joined British Caledonian in 1972, before moving to Gulf Air in 1975 and subsequently in 1985 to Dubai where he became a member of the founding team of Emirates as Head of Airline Planning.

Mr Clark has been awarded numerous honours, including CAPA Airline Executive of the Year in 2022 for his individual influence on the aviation industry, strategic thinking, and innovative direction for the growth of Emirates and the industry. In 2023, Future Travel Experience presented Mr Clark with its first-ever FTE Visionary Award in recognition of his influence in shaping the industry; and Air Transport World presented Mr Clark with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Deputy President & Chief Operations Officer

Adel Al Redha is the Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer of Emirates Airline.

Al Redha commenced his career with Emirates in Engineering and has since held various positions across the Group. Today, he oversees the operations department, including Dubai hub and Worldwide Network Operations, Flight Operations, Emirates Engineering and Fleet Procurement, Inflight Services and Training, Worldwide Airport Passenger Services, and Emirates Group Dubai Airports Project Management. He also heads Emirates Group Security, Sustainability and Environment, and Dubai Government Affairs.

Additionally, Al Redha leads Emirates Flight Catering and Emirates Flight Training Academy.

From 2021 to 2024, Al Redha also oversaw the Emirates Group’s technology strategy as the Head of the Information Technology function, ensuring that the technology infrastructure and systems support the company's goals and objectives.

Widely recognized as a leader in the aviation industry, Al Redha has received numerous accolades for his contributions. He has influenced and led the introduction of programs to pave the way for national youth in various aviation sectors and has played a major role in setting up projects that directly contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of the airline's operation.

Well-connected with local and international institutes, he is a strong advocate for sustainability, innovation, and technological advancements, playing a crucial role in driving Emirates' efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and introduce new technologies for improved efficiency.

Adel Redha holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from the University of Northrop, USA and a master’s degree in Air Transport from Cranfield University, UK.

Deputy President & Chief Commercial Officer

Adnan Kazim is the airline’s Deputy President & Chief Commercial Officer reporting to the President Emirates Airline.

He leads Emirates’ Commercial Operations across the passenger and cargo network. Kazim oversees worldwide passenger sales, revenue optimisation, order management, airline partnerships, e-commerce, retail and contact centres, Emirates Skywards loyalty programme, Emirates SkyCargo, and destination and leisure management.

Mr Kazim joined Emirates in 1992. His career graph rose quickly, and he went on to successfully lead the airline’s commercial regions in senior management roles that included Senior Vice President Gulf, Middle East & Iran, and Senior Vice President Africa.

His broad experience helped him transition into a leadership role to shape the airline’s strategy of growth in the areas of fleet planning, market expansion and governmental relations. Prior to his current role, he held the position of Divisional Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Revenue Optimisation & Aeropolitical Affairs.

Kazim graduated from the UAE University in Al Ain. He is on the Board of Emirates Airline Foundation, a non-profit charity organisation which aims to improve the quality of life for children caught in extreme poverty. He is also the Chairman of the company board for Emaar Development (since 2020), on the Board of Directors of the Transguard Group (since 2022) and the Chairman of the Board Audit Committee for Zand (since 2023).

Chief Procurement & Facilities Officer

Since joining the Emirates Group in 1986, Mr Al Soori has been instrumental in the Group's procurement strategies and in the construction of its global assets and facilities.

He has spearheaded the development of several high-profile projects including Emirates Group Headquarters, dnata Travel Centre, Emirates Engineering Centre, Emirates Group Technology Centre, the new pilot training centre, and the new engineering complex at Dubai World Central, which is set to become one of the world's largest maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities.

In the realm of hotel asset management and hospitality, Mr Al Soori manages prestigious properties such as the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort & Spa, The Sevens Stadium and, internationally, the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia.

He continues to play a critical role in optimising returns on hotels, commercial, and residential assets, ensuring exceptional customer experiences across Dubai International Airport lounges, Emirates outstation lounges, and commercial retail outlets.

Mr Al Soori is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, leading initiatives such as solar panel adoption, retrofit projects, and the conservation of wildlife and habitats within the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve.