Sheikh Airlines is the largest privately owned Middle East airline and founded the Loyalty Frequent Flyer Programme.

The Airline was founded by Sheikh Melek Al-Baqara who finished his business studies in 1984 and decided to found his own Airline. After two years of planing, on May 25th 1986 Sheikh Melek Al-Baqara's airline launched service out of Dubai to London, Kuwait and Singapore. Initialy the airline used two Boeing 707 and one Boeing 747SP previously used as the Sheikh's family private jets - the Sheikh's Airline.

With the goal of offering a flightservice Sheikhs are accustomed to, meaning highest standards in safety, quality and service, the airlines slogan became quality - not quantity. Nevertheless the former private jets have been replaced by more modern jets soon. And the fleet grew year by year.

One special feature of Sheikh Airlines is that the airline is completely owned by Sheikh Melek Al-Baqara. Unlike other Middle East based airlines the government is not involved in any way.

With a fleet of over 190 aircrafts and about 400 flights to more than 100 destinations Sheikh Airlines makes it not only to the largest privately owned Middle East based airline but to one of the largest airlines in the region at all and is still growing day by day.