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Decree

General UAE Legal Questions LawDecree No. (2) of 1985

Dubai Law·2 of 1985

Issued Date
June 26, 1985
Effective from
June 26, 1985
Articles
10
Last synced
Sep 14, 2026
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Plain-language summary

Establishes Emirates as an independent public corporation with legal personality and financial autonomy to operate as the sole national air carrier of Dubai, pr…

Synced from the official UAE Legislation portal · Plain-language summary by the LEXAI editorial team

Article-level text

Key Articles

10 articles

  1. 1

    Article 1

    Article (1) a. Pursuant to this Decree, an independent public corporation named “Emirates” is established. b. Emirates will have legal personality, and financial and administrative autonomy, and will be owned, at present, by the Government of Dubai. c. Emirates may sue and be sued in its own name, and may, for this purpose, appoint any person to represent it in the judicial proceedings in which it is involved.

  2. 2

    Article 2

    Article (2) The objective of Emirates will be to perform all scheduled air transport and commercial air services, both domestic and international, including transport of passengers and cargo, such as goods, mail, and other items. For this purpose, Emirates may own, hire, charter, and operate all types of aircraft, and may, subject to approval of the Government of Dubai, engage in any other business it deems appropriate for its interests and for achieving and promoting its objectives.

  3. 3

    Article 3

    Article (3) Emirates will be designated and considered the sole national air carrier of the Emirate of Dubai. ©2018 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai 1 Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.

    -- 1 of 3 --

    Decree No. (2) of 1985 Establishing a Corporation Named "Emirates" Page 2 of 3

  4. 4

    Article 4

    Article (4) Emirates will be represented, managed, and operated by a chairman (the “Chairman”), who will be appointed from time to time by the Government of Dubai.

  5. 5

    Article 5

    Article (5) The Government of Dubai will not be liable for any debts or obligations claimed from Emirates or the Chairman.

  6. 6

    Article 6

    Article (6) In the course of managing and operating Emirates, the Chairman will not be liable to third parties for any act or omission with respect to such management or operation. Emirates will be solely liable to third parties for such act or omission.

  7. 7

    Article 7

    Article (7) No entity may recover any debt from, or enforce any obligation against, Emirates by way of taking possession, seizure, sale by public auction, or acquisition by any other legal process, of equipment or any other tangible assets owned by Emirates, whether or not a definitive judgment in respect of such debt or obligation has been rendered.

  8. 8

    Article 8

    Article (8) a. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Article, the Chairman may issue the regulations and rules required to manage and operate Emirates, and amend the same from time to time. These regulations and rules will be binding on all persons. b. Without prejudice to its exemption from liability pursuant to the provisions of Article (5) of this Decree, the Government of Dubai may amend or replace the above-mentioned regulations and rules at its own discretion, or exempt any entity from compliance with any or all of their provisions. c. The above-mentioned regulations and rules, and any amendments thereto, whether issued by Emirates or by the Government of Dubai, will take effect as of the date on which they are issued.

    -- 2 of 3 --

    Decree No. (2) of 1985 Establishing a Corporation Named "Emirates" Page 3 of 3

  9. 9

    Article 9

    Article (9) Emirates will be exempted from customs duties on all its imports and local purchases of aircraft, equipment, tools, spare parts, requisites, and other materials required for its own use, for sale aboard its aircraft, or for distribution for promotional purposes.

  10. 10

    Article 10

    Article (10) This Decree comes into force on the day on which it is issued, and will be published in the Official Gazette. Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Dubai Issued in Dubai on 26 June 1985 Corresponding to 9 Shawwal 1405 A.H.

    -- 3 of 3 --

Note: This legislation is sourced from the Dubai Legislation Portal (dlp.dubai.gov.ae). The original Arabic text is the authoritative version.

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