During the mid-1980s, Gulf Air began to cut back its services to Dubai as it was concerned it was providing regional feeder flights for other carriers. As a result Emirates was conceived in March 1985 with backing from Dubai's royal family, and was required to operate independent of government subsidies.
In mid-1980s, Pakistan International Airlines played a large role in establishing the Emirates airline by providing technical and administrative assistance to the new carrier as well as leaseing a newBoeing 737–300 and an Airbus 300B4-200,. The Royal Family's Dubai Royal Air Wing also provided the airline with two used Boeing 727–200 Adv.