The local Emirates Airline has announced a 99 per cent increase in net profits for the first half of the financial year ending 30 September. Profits rose to AED 2,360 million ($643 million) compared with AED 1,180 million ($323 million) for the same period in 2006. Despite the impact of soaring fuel costs, passenger revenue at the Dubai-based carrier increased by 30.5 per cent to AED 13,100 million ($3.56 billion). The airline carried 10.3 million passengers in the first financial half, a 23 per cent increase year-on-year.