The Emirates Group reaffirmed its commitment to environmental responsibility and reducing plastic pollution through its flagship sustainability showcase, Tomorrow Takes Flight. The annual event brought together Emirates and dnata staff and industry partners to spotlight wide-ranging initiatives that align with the United Nations’ 2025 theme to #BeatPlasticPollution.
Hosted in Dubai, the exhibition highlighted how the Emirates Group is embedding sustainability into its operations, from engineering and cargo to catering, travel and service delivery. A key focus this year was the group’s commitment to ‘Consuming Responsibly’ — reducing reliance on single-use plastics, increasing recycling, and repurposing waste materials.
Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Operations Officer, opened the event by emphasising the role of environmental responsibility in achieving business goals. “Today’s event celebrates our sustainability journey while educating and inspiring our people,” he said. “Every touchpoint – from cabin materials to maintenance – is an opportunity to reduce our environmental footprint.”
Steve Allen, CEO of dnata, echoed the sentiment, noting: “Sustainability shapes the investments we make and the standards we set. From food waste reduction to transitioning to electric ground support equipment, we are committed to growing responsibly while delivering lasting impact.”
Initiatives on Display
Highlights of the showcase included:
- Aircrafted by Emirates: A creative initiative repurposing retired aircraft parts into functional art and home items.
- Biodigester Demonstration: Emirates Flight Catering’s biodigester display showed how food waste is transformed into usable compost.
- Plastic Cleanup Campaigns: Efforts in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve to remove plastic waste.
- Sustainable Products: Onboard service products made from recycled and alternative materials.
- Food Innovation: Plant-based meals and sustainable packaging presented by MMI, Emirates Leisure Retail, dnata Catering & Retail, and Emirates Flight Catering.
- Circular Economy Projects: From dnata’s plant-based packaging to marhaba lounges’ food waste tracking and recycling across dnata Cargo operations.
Partner and Community Collaboration
Exhibitors such as Falcon Aircraft Recycling, Ecyclex, and Reloop showcased how Emirates Group departments are working together to recycle e-waste and transform waste streams into usable products. Dubai Airports and Dubai Can highlighted efforts in airport waste management and marine reef conservation, respectively.
A dedicated corner by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) tied local actions to global goals, educating employees on sustainable development principles and this year’s UN theme.
Interactive Engagement
Employees participated in sustainability-themed games and quizzes, contributing recyclable bottles to a community art installation known as the ‘Bottle Wall’. These bottles were later upcycled into personalised plant pots for staff, reinforcing the event’s theme of reuse and environmental stewardship.
With collaborative efforts across the Group and its partners, Emirates and dnata are demonstrating that sustainable aviation is not just a goal—it is an ongoing, collective mission.
For more on Emirates’ environmental work and sustainability priorities, visit Connecting Tomorrow.
