Long-haul carrier Emirates reported on Thursday that it earned annual profits of $5.2 billion, making it one of the world's most-profitable airlines. The Dubai-based carrier served 53.7 million passengers out of its hub of Dubai International Airport, compared to 51.9 million passengers in the fiscal year prior. It had aftertax profits of $4.7 billion that same period. The overall Emirates Group, owned by Dubai's sovereign wealth fund known as the Investment Corporation of Dubai, saw annual profits of $5.6 billion, compared to $5.1 billion the year before.