Dubai: The cost of meals and drinks provided by Emirates to its passengers on its flights rose to approximately Dh5.316 billion during the financial year (2025-2026), which ended last March, according to the company's financial data, in one of the largest bills for services related to feeding passengers on board aircraft in a single year.The data showed that the food bill item was the sixth largest item in Emirates' operating costs during the financial year, after fuel, staff, depreciation, sales, marketing and handling.This item includes the costs incurred by the company to provide food, beverages, catering and related services on board the aircraft.Food costs during the last fiscal year recorded an increase of Dh570 million, with a growth rate of 12%, compared to about Dh4.746 billion during the previous fiscal year.This increase comes as Emirates has expanded its operations and continued to invest in the passenger experience, including onboard products and services. The airline confirmed that the rise in operating costs was in line with its growth and expansion.The calculations indicate that the value of Dh5.316 billion is equivalent to an average monthly expenditure on food, beverages and related services on board the aircraft of about Dh443 million, while the daily average reaches about Dh14.6 million during the fiscal year.Compared to the previous fiscal year, in 2025-2026, the company spent an average of approximately 1.57 million additional Dirhams per day on this item.Emirates Airline data reveals that the catering and onboard services bill amounted to Dh5.316 billion, out of total operating costs of Dh108.129 billion, with food services representing approximately 4.9% of total operating costs.Emirates operates a huge catering operation that includes multiple travel classes, a global network of destinations, and diverse food requirements, in addition to meals, beverages, and services related to the passenger experience.
