Formidable strength at Emirates

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President—Commercial Operations, Emirates, is a leader par excellence in strengthening the commercial arm of the national carrier and ensuring it soars higher not only by profits but also by an unmatched humanitarian approach.

Shehara Rizly

“Leadership is action, not position” as quoted by Donald H McGannon is clearly exemplified by Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President— Commercial Operations, Emirates, through the airline’s continuous growth, geographical expansion of operations, new business and sustained profitability. Al Mualla manages the commercial development and the long-term strategies of Emirates’ business across the Gulf, Middle East, Iran as well as West Asia. Besides, he is also the Chair of the Board of Directors at Hala China where his key responsibility is to foster current and future strategic partnerships to strengthen relationships between businesses, investors, entrepreneurs and travellers in both the UAE and China. As the Chair, he has led a number of initiatives to ensure that they make the traveller journey across every touchpoint in Dubai accessible. He shares, “We have taken steps to set up dedicated Mandarin Chinese services that can be accessed by all Chinese speakers visiting Dubai. The new service will provide tourist information about the city to Chinese visitors to help them make the most of their stay while in Dubai.”

Keen eye for aviation
Al Mualla joined Emirates as a management trainee in 1996 after graduating from EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University in the United States. During his career, he has worked in senior managerial positions covering the UAE, West Asia and Indian Ocean. Today, leading a team of over 500 people across his regions of responsibility, he continues to look at ways to expand Emirates’ presence in emerging leisure and business destinations like the Maldives, India and Bangladesh.
Al Mualla relates, “Commercial aviation is one of the most dynamic industries in the world, and it’s constantly evolving. It’s also a sector that breaks down barriers between people and nations, moves goods, generates jobs and supports economies. I am proud to be part of an airline that helps connect passengers across 158 destinations to and through Dubai, and supports a strong, efficient and competitive air transport ecosystem. We are an airline that has challenged the historical norms of the industry; we focused on a multitude of elements which included not only expansion but also innovation, product quality and service standards. We have a strong brand that helps to connect us to our customers and beyond, and I am inspired for what the future holds for our airline and the industry as a whole.”

Celebration of pride and passion
Understanding some of the most important humanitarian needs to better the lives of children by supporting various organisations is an innate trait in Al Mualla, hence the Emirates Airline Foundation is just one of the many supported organisations. He shares, “I am incredibly proud of the teams across the region I oversee, who work day in and day out to ensure we maintain our competitive edge and continue delivering a world-class experience to our customers.” His commitment to the airline, travelling and leading the airline’s operations in different markets, and making a difference by growing their presence and market share, and helping to future proof the business through different commercial strategies are just a few of the many moments of distinction.

Recounting the success story
Emirates stands firm as the leader in the Middle Eastern skies. Al Mualla continues, “For Emirates, the formula to growth and success has been through its people, product, and Dubai – not only its geography but its appeal for both commerce and tourism. The Emirates business model is all about connecting Dubai to the world and connecting the world through Dubai with efficient air transport services.”