Economics

Emirates Chief Clark Fears ‘Gathering Storm’ as He Hints at Exit

  • Clark says low-cost expansion poses real threat in long-haul
  • Key strategy decisions may fall to successor, executive says

Emirates President Tim Clark says the Dubai-based airline sees threats across all markets, from Norwegian Air to Singapore Airlines.

Photographer: Krisztian Bocsi
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

Emirates President Tim Clark said he’s braced for a “gathering storm” as low-cost airlines encroach on the inter-continental routes around which the world’s biggest international carrier has built its business.

Dubai-based Emirates sees threats across all long-haul markets from rivals spanning Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA to the Scoot unit of Singapore Airlines Ltd., Clark said Thursday. The Gulf company may also need to establish a short-haul fleet as Mideast nations it has struggled to serve begin to open up, he said.