Fast growing UAE carrier, Emirates is on track to overtake Delta Air Lines this year and claim the title of the world’s second largest airline.

According to research conducted by the CAPA Centre for Aviation, if Emirates maintains its 18.4 percent growth rate, the carrier could jump one spot this year into second place.

Despite its fast-paced growth, the Dubai-based airline will still be one place behind United, which became the world’s biggest airline after its 2010 merger with Continental and experienced a 67.3 percent growth in 2012.

British Airways and Air France managed to maintain their spots as the world’s seventh and eighth largest airlines, while Turkish Airlines jumped seven spots from 22 in 2011 to 15.

Lion Airlines also made a substantial leap in 2012, rising eight spots from forty-seventh largest airline to 39 while Jet Airways fell seven spots from thirty-ninth largest airline to 46 and Qantas Airways fell two spots from 14 to 16.

In the low-cost sector, Southwest maintained its number one spot followed by Ryanair, JetBlue and easyJet.

AirTran Airways fell three places from sixth largest to ninth while Spirit Airlines jumped four spots from nineteenth to fifteenth largest low-cost airline in the world.