Joined BOAC (predecessor of British Airways) in 1953 as a trainee after commissioned service in the Royal Air Force as a navigator. He worked in a variety of posts world-wide, and returned to the UK in 1965 as a Route Planning Manager. He became a member of British Airways' senior management in 1974. In 1978, Mr Flanagan left British Airways to become Managing Director of Dnata, belonging to the Government of Dubai, and of Emirates when the airline was launched in 1985. He was made CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2000 in recognition of his contribution to community relations in the UAE and for services to aviation.

Emirates operates 102 wide-bodied aircraft (includes 9 freighters) to 88 international destinations. The fleet will expand to over 150 aircraft by 2012, and will include 45 A380s, the largest order for this aircraft placed by any airline. Although owned by the government of Dubai, Emirates receives no subsidy of any kind, and no protection against competition in its home market.

As well as Emirates and Dnata, the Group includes the tour operator Emirates Holidays; the Dubai Destination Management Company Arabian Adventures; the conservation-based Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort; the Al Aqah Meridien Hotel; Premier Travel Inn; and Mercator, an air transport and travel software business. Dnata's original airport handling and travel agency businesses continue to flourish. The Group, which has over 30,000 staff, has a 43.6 cent equity stake in SriLankan Airlines, with a management contract.

Dnata is the largest and most influential non-airline travel business in the Middle East and West Asia region, providing all ramp, cargo and passenger handling at Dubai International Airport, ground handling operations in Singapore and joint ventures at airports in Pakistan, Iran, Sudan and the Philippines. Dnata also has a travel agency division supplying wholesale and retail travel products and travel-related computer services.