On the 7th May, Emirates Airline’s founding CEO Sir Maurice Flanagan passed away at his home in London, at the age of 86. British-born Flanagan, launched the Dubai-based airline with $10 million in 1985, and retired two years ago.

He was a key architect in the phenomenal growth of Emirates Arline and Group, having overseen dnata’s operations and subsequently every stage in Emirates’ remarkable rise from regional carrier with two aircraft to global giant with a fleet of more than 170 aircraft.

Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, described Flanagan as a legend in the aviation industry. “It was a great personal pleasure and privilege to have worked with him. On behalf of all Emirates Group staff, I express our condolences to his wife Audrey, his son Julian, and his daughters Siobhan and Claire. His contributions to dnata, Emirates, and Dubai, will always be remembered.”

Sir Maurice first arrived e left British Airways in 1978 to become Director and General Manager of dnata, during the early days of Dubai’s economic development. In 1985, he led a 10-man team to launch Emirates airline with $10 million. with no protection against competition in Emirates’ home market, and no subsidy of any kind.

He was the managing director for the inaugural Emirates flight in 1985 and his pivotal role in the company’s development was recognised in 1990 when he was appointed group managing director of Emirates Group. He became vice chairman and group president in July 2003 and was promoted to his executive vice chairman position in 2006.

Born in 1928 in Leigh, Lancashire, Flanagan attended initially the now defunct Leigh Boys Grammar School, but transferred later to Lymm Grammar School, and then Liverpool University. He once had a trial to be a professional footballer with Blackburn Rovers. He snapped cruciate ligaments, an injury that dogged him ever since.
Less well known is that he wrote a popular ITV drama in the 1960s. A satire on management theory that starred Leonard Rossiter. He also wrote poems and was published in the Spectator.

He started his career in 1953 with BOAC, the forerunner of British Airways, as a graduate trainee after serving in the Royal Air Force as a navigation officer. (Bastards Overseas Avoiding Conscription, as he described BOAC .) HE was posted to Kano, Calcutta, Tripoli, Bangkok. He once recollected “You saluted the captain and flag as you taxied out in those days”. He ascended through a variety of overseas posts and returned to the UK in 1965 as a route planning manager.

He was major factor in shaping Dubai and the now prominent role of aviation in the UAE

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