Emirates Group Najm Chairman’s Awards 2024 Recognizes Exceptional Employees for Outstanding Commitment

Published on November 21, 2024

On a chilly evening in November at JFK Airport, Raphael Teixeira was completing his usual shift when he noticed an abandoned piece of ground support equipment starting to smoke and burst into flames. He immediately recognized the severity of the situation and acted swiftly to put out the fire, preventing potential damage to nearby aircraft and ensuring the safety of everyone on board.

Raphael displayed remarkable calm and precision during this critical moment, exemplifying the dedication seen among Emirates Group employees who consistently go above and beyond to make a significant impact on the company, their colleagues, and the industry at large.

Raphael’s act of bravery and quick thinking is one of the stories highlighted in the 2024 Najm Chairman’s Awards, celebrating Emirates Group employees across six categories including customer experience enhancements, innovation, and contributions to the Group’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, particularly emphasizing a culture of safety.

The awards ceremony took place today at Emirates Group Headquarters, presided over by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group.

The nominations for the Najm Chairman’s Award underwent a thorough evaluation process before final selections were made, recognizing 22 individuals and teams this year for their outstanding contributions. Here are their stories:

Revitalizing the Emirates Fleet

In August 2022, Emirates initiated the largest fleet retrofit in the industry, known internally as ‘Project Phoenix’. This ambitious year-long project involved meticulous planning, testing, and innovation, culminating in the installation of new Premium Economy cabins and a complete refresh of all aircraft interiors. The teams dedicated over 30,000 man-hours to disassemble and refit the interiors of Emirates A380s and Boeing 777s. This retrofit is expected to extend the fleet’s lifespan by over a decade and sets a pioneering standard for interior upgrades industry-wide.

Advancing Emirates’ Retail Operations

The Emirates Revenue Optimisation team launched a modernization effort for the airline’s retail capabilities, introducing a New Distribution Capability (NDC) Gateway. Today, this system is used by thousands of trade partners, enabling distinct product and pricing options and helping millions of customers select Emirates for their travel needs. The project has significantly expanded Emirates’ distribution network and enhanced the visibility of its top-tier products and services worldwide.

Enhancing Efficiency in Flight Operations

The Emirates Flight Operations team identified a way to optimize lengthy arrival procedures, effectively reducing flight distances and fuel consumption. Collaborating with Dubai Air Navigation Services, they safely implemented reduced arrival protocols, setting a worldwide example and encouraging the adoption of these efficient practices globally.

Leading Sustainability Initiatives at dnata Travel

Lara Seymour of dnata Travel has led several initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions. She established the sustainability practice within dnata Travel Group, which spans over 15 companies across 16 countries. Her projects include optimizing bus routes in Dubai to decrease emissions by 40%, enacting a responsible travel policy, and starting an animal welfare practice. Her work not only led to significant emission reductions but also helped dnata Travel Group earn IATA’s Environmental Management Certification.

Improving Travel for People of Determination

The Emirates Airport Passenger Services team, along with the Customer Affairs team and Dubai International (DXB), has improved travel accessibility for People of Determination at Terminal 3. Initiatives such as sunflower lanyards and travel rehearsals for neurodivergent passengers were introduced, providing these individuals with priority boarding, personalized assistance, and a chance to familiarize themselves with airport processes before actual travel. These efforts culminated in a real-life experience and familiarization flight in April 2024 for 30 UAE families with neurodiverse children.

Emirates Group continues to celebrate and reward the remarkable talents within its workforce through the Najm program, with the Chairman’s Awards representing the pinnacle of recognition within the organization. In the last financial year alone, over 21,000 Najms were awarded, totaling more than AED 2 million in value.