'Airlines cannot sustain low prices forever'

Emirates was one of the few airlines that posted a profit last financial year. Speaking on the sidelines of the 65th International Air Transport Association (Iata) annual general meeting, Emirates' President Tim Clark told Emirates Business that the airline expects a moderate profit in the current financial year ending March 31, 2010, even the global airline industry makes a collective loss of $9 billion (Dh33bn) in 2009.

How is Emirates doing financially?

We made money last year. People in this room did not. Collectively, they are heading for a $9 billion loss, while Emirates is the only airline, or one of the only two or three airlines, that made money last year. We were down on the year before, but the fact that we made money was the exception.

Do you see airfares dropping further?

This is the best time for the travelling public. They have never had it so good with the fare levels. So if anyone wants to travel, they should do it quickly, because as soon as the going gets good all the fares will go up. They have to. This airline community here today cannot sustain these prices forever.