Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, announced that it will operate three daily flights on the Dubai–Nairobi route starting 1 March 2026, also strengthening regional connections that include Mozambique. With this increase, Nairobi will receive 21 weekly flights linked to Emirates’ global network of around 150 destinations, reported the Club of Mozambique citing a company statement.
The third daily flight, announced during the celebration of Emirates’ 30 years of operations in Kenya, will complement the current schedule with morning arrivals and departures. This enhancement strengthens connectivity to European destinations such as the United Kingdom, France, Norway, and Italy, as well as the United States.
The new frequency is expected to support Kenya’s tourism goals, aiming to attract 5 million international visitors by 2030. Flight EK717 will depart Dubai at 00:55 and arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 05:05, while EK718 will leave Nairobi at 06:50 and land in Dubai at 12:50.
In recent months, Emirates has recorded high occupancy on the two daily flights currently operated, indicating growing demand. The third service, operated by a three-class Boeing 777, will increase capacity and strengthen access to first-class cabins, available only on flights to and from Nairobi.
The new schedule is also adjusted to improve connectivity with Kenya Airways, the Kenyan national airline, facilitating travel to destinations such as Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Burundi. Since the interline agreement signed in 2023, over 31,000 passengers have benefited from this partnership, with bookings almost evenly split between the two airlines. In addition to passenger transport, the extra flight will boost the cargo sector, adding 280 tons per week through the Boeing 777’s capacity. The morning departure will be especially useful for transporting perishable goods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers, which are sensitive to time and temperature.
The increase in frequencies comes amid deep economic relations between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, strengthened by the recent signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s cargo division, has played a key role in trade with Kenya, operating three weekly cargo flights to Nairobi.
In October, Emirates celebrated 30 years of operations in Kenya, since its inaugural flight in 1995, having transported over 6.6 million passengers to and from the country. Demand mainly comes from markets such as South Korea, China, Thailand, Australia, and the United States, with similar outbound traffic to Asian and Australian destinations.
In 2024, Emirates opened Africa’s first Emirates World store in Nairobi, bringing an immersive retail experience to the region, with specialized consulting and booking services. Reservations for the three daily Dubai–Nairobi flights are already available on emirates.com, Emirates stores, the airline’s app, and travel agencies.
Source: Diário Económico
