Dubai based Emirates airline on Thursday said its net profit surged 65 per cent in the first half of the financial year to $849 million (781 million euros) on lower fuel costs and higher passenger numbers. The largest Middle East carrier said fuel prices were 41 per cent lower than a year before, while passenger numbers jumped 10 per cent to 25.7 million in the six-month period ending September 30. "This performance reflects the impact of lower fuel prices, and also the airline's continued ability to grow passenger demand in line with significant capacity growth," Emirates said. This was "despite external challenges such as continued regional unrest and economic malaise in many regions, and increased competition adding downward pressure on yields."