Emirates Airline is projecting its profitability will remain flat during its next financial year amid the continuing rise in oil prices which is forcing it to examine the re-introduction of fuel surcharges on certain routes.

The Dubai-based airline is budgeting a profit of 5 billion dirhams [$1.37 billion] for the year ending on 31 March 2009, says president Tim Clark, a repeat of its achievement in 2007/08 - itself a 62% rise on the previous year.

Clark blames the flat outlook on “increasing fuel prices” and says that several measures are being examined to counter the spiralling cost of oil.

While Emirates dropped fuel surcharges last year, Clark says it is being forced to re-evaluate that policy due to ongoing oil price hikes. The 2007/08 result included “a $516 million delta in fuel costs, versus our budgeted plan”

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