Emirates study shows airline pouring billions into European GDP

Emirates Airlines. Photo / NZME.

An Emirates-commissioned study of the airline's contribution to Europe finds it has contributed 6.8 billion ($10 billion) of the EU's gross domestic product and spends 175 million on sponsorships across 15 countries.

Rival airlines accuse Emirates and other gulf carriers of receiving state subsidies that give them a substantial advantage, a charge they deny.

European consultancy Frontier Economics did the socio-economic impact study which found the 220 unique connections the airline offered supported 85,100 jobs across the European Union in 2013-14.

Emirates is also the biggest buyer of A380s from the European conglomerate Airbus, and deliveries for the same period supported 41,000 jobs, equivalent to 3.4 billion of GDP.

Dan Elliott, founder and director of Frontier Economics, said some of Emirates' competitors had accused the airline of having a negative impact on Europe.

"Analysis paints a different picture. Our research shows that the direct, indirect and induced impact of Emirates' operations and the development of connectivity to secondary cities in particular, makes a substantial contribution to EU GDP."

Emirates operates 350 flights a week to 37 European destinations.

Sponsorship has included the 2014 Commonwealth Games, football in Britain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Spain and France and tennis and golf tournaments.