Emirates Pumps $596m Into Indian Economy

Dubai-based Emirates Airlines has contributed $596 million to the Indian economy through various sectors, according to a study conducted by India’s National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER).

The study found that the airline pumped in $274 million in air transport, $76 million in the petroleum and chemicals sector, $62 million into manufacturing, $39 million into trade, banking and insurance, and $145 million in other sectors of the economy.

Also, for every $1 that Emirates contributes in the Indian air transport sector, it generates an additional $1.176 in the Indian economy, taking the overall contribution to $2.176.

The carrier directly employs 1,045 employees and supports a total of 72,323 jobs in India through its operations, the report added.

Emirates also brought in 529,928 foreign tourists into India in the fiscal year 2010-11, as a result of which, $1.153 billion was added to the economy as Foreign Exchange Earning (FEE).

Dr Shekhar Shah, director general, NCAER said: “We’ve studied four impacts: first, the direct contribution of airline operations on the Indian economy; second, the indirect contribution of aviation to other sectors through multiplier effects; third, the generation of jobs in India; and fourth, contributions through the tourist dollars earned. We’ve also looked at the regional benefits that accrue to smaller cities when they are linked to India’s major air hubs.”

The study stated that Emirates’ expansion to four additional destinations in India including Amritsar, Pune, Mangalore and Trichy would add a further $106 million to the country’s economy and create 13,011 jobs.

“India is a central pillar in Emirates’ global network and last year Emirates carried over 4.7 million passengers on its flights to Indian cities,” said Andrew Parker, Emirates senior vice president of Public, Industry, International & Environmental Affairs.

“Emirates is committed to further investment and growth in the Indian market with the deployment of the latest generation aircraft and launching new routes over the medium term.”

The airline currently operates 185 flights per week to 10 destinations across India including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.