Emirates Airline has no plans to lay off any employees in the wake of the financial crisis, said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. On the contrary, the carrier is expanding and plans to hire more staff, Shaikh Ahmad said. He also denied rumours of a merger between Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Emirates, saying, 'the issue has never been discussed', Gulf News reported.