The Big Interview

Anita Thomas Emirates’ Ireland boss on new trends: ‘Leisure travellers are flying business class’

Anita Thomas says that people need to consider the full benefits of aviation growth when discussing the plans to expand Dublin Airport

Anita Thomas, Emirates’ Ireland boss, said she always wanted to work in aviation. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Growing up in the small village of Hugginstown in south Kilkenny, Anita Thomas says she always knew she wanted to work in aviation but accepts it was a strange notion.

“Obviously aviation is huge in Kilkenny,” Thomas laughs as we sit in her office at Dublin Airport.

The recently appointed Emirates country manager for Ireland says she always wanted to work for an airline when she was in school.

“Now, again, there was no major ...