Gulf Air was still a multi-national enterprise when Sir Tim joined in 1975

The Dubai hub’s location and open-skies policy have been key to the expansion of both the airline and its home airport

The introduction of innovative new aircraft types has helped Emirates seize market share in a rapidly liberalising industry

The lounge area on Emirates’ A380-800 was inspired by Sir Tim’s memories of the stand-up bars on Gulf Air’s TriStars

Sir Tim Clark joined Emirates in the 1980s and has remained with the Dubai-based carrier ever since

Sir Tim and Sheikh Ahmed discussing the Emirates A380 double-decker with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel

Sir Tim started his aviation career with British Caledonian at Gatwick where he observed ‘the Laker effect’