For the entire Emirates group - which includes ground services and other businesses - net profit was up nearly 250 percent to $1.1 billion.

The results suggest the Dubai-based carrier, the largest in the Middle East, remains committed to its aggressive expansion plans that include four new routes this summer - including Baghdad - and talks to add more planes to the 146 aircraft already on order.

Despite the upbeat figures, the chairman and chief executive of the Emirates group called it their "toughest year." "It has been an exceptional year of continued profitability against a backdrop of the worst global recession in generations," said a statement from Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

The state-owned carrier posted a net profit of $964 million in the fiscal year ending March 31 - compared with $187 million during the previous period for a 416 percent jump.

The entire Emirates' group net profit rose to $1.1 billion from $325 million in the previous fiscal year. Revenue remained almost steady at $12.4 billion - aided by a 20.8 percent increase in passengers to 27.5 million to offset a decline in cargo revenue and weaker demand for first- and business-class seats.

Sheikh Ahmed called the passenger boost an "incredible result that has helped to cushion us" and give the airline its 22nd consecutive year with profits. Emirates also has gone through a full-scale effort to contain costs, such as a temporary hiring freeze on nonessential positions and seeking ways to streamline ground services.

The Emirates group figures include cargo services, tour operations and other travel-related businesses.

Emirates has shown not signs of cooling off its ambitions.

A total of six new routes have either started or are planned for this year, including service to Baghdad scheduled to begin July 1. It currently has 146 aircraft on order from Boeing Co. and Airbus worth more than $48 billion, but Sheikh Ahmed told reporters that the airline is in talks for possible additional purchases.

He declined to give details of the negotiations, but noted the timetable for the announcement could coincide with England's Farnborough International Airshow in July.

"As we begin to pull out of the global economic downturn, the (Emirates) group will continue to achieve double-digit growth," he said.

The latest Emirates figures do not include the estimated $50 million lost because of travel disruptions from the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.