Announced earlier today, Emirates Airlines President, Tim Clark, is set to retire from the carrier after nearly 30 years at the helm.

In an internal memo released to staff earlier today, it was announced the 70-year old founding member of Emirates would retire in June 2020 having led the airline for over 30 years – seventeen of which were in his current role of Founder. Following the announcement, Group Chairman – Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum – confirmed the retirement, adding that Clarke had been invited to remain as an advisor to the carrier. Speaking to the media, Sheikh Ahmed confirmed:

Through wars, economic recessions, disasters natural or man-made, and various industry upheavals, Tim has ably steered and grown Emirates to its standing today as the world’s largest international airline, and an eminent player in the global airline industry.

During his time at Emirates, which he helped found in 1985, Clarke has revolutionised Dubai Airport into the world’s only  ‘mega airport’, surpassing Heathrow and LAX. Emirates itself has, too, seen much success, carrying close to 60 million passengers in 2019. The carrier also now operates a fleet of 270 aircraft flying to 159 destinations around the world including the largest fleet of Airbus A380s. British Born, Clarke graduated from the University of London before working with several other carriers including Caledonian Airlines and Gulf Air. Helping to found Emirates, Clarke was awarded a knighthood in the ‘Queens 2014 Honours List’ for his services to “British Prosperity and the Aviation Industry”.

Clarke will most certainly be missed! But who will take over his role? Let us know in the comments below. And if you’re reading this on the day of release, a very Merry Christmas!

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