I was hopeful of 6.5% initially, but the more I read the email the more it becomes clear that it is only 3.5%. The key words in the email are "WHICH INCLUDES". It says "an increase of 3.5% WHICH INCLUDES a step increase AND an adjustment to the salary step (0.5%). Thanks for your generosity Emirates...that means that other than the step I get an extra 134 dirhams per month!!!! Woohoo!!