United Arab Emirates (UAE) flagship airline Emirates has officially launched its third daily flight to Nairobi, significantly boosting passenger and cargo capacity while strengthening connectivity between Kenya and the Gulf nation.
The long-awaited inaugural flight, EK718, departed Dubai at 1:20 am and landed at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 5:25 am on Wednesday.
The flight was received by Emirates Country Manager for Kenya Christophe Leloup, UAE Ambassador to Kenya Dr Salim Ibrahim Bin Ahmed Mohammed Alnaqbi, Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary for Tourism Prof Julius K. Bitok, and Emirates staff.
The return flight departed JKIA at 7:10 am and arrived in Dubai at 1:15 pm.
With the new service, Emirates now operates three daily flights between Dubai and Nairobi, bringing the total to 21 weekly flights on the route.
The expanded schedule is expected to enhance global connectivity while supporting Kenya’s tourism and trade ambitions.
According to the airline, the early morning arrival gives international tourists more time to continue their journeys to destinations outside Nairobi, including lodges in national parks and beach resorts along the Kenyan coast.
For business travellers, the morning departure from Nairobi offers convenient same-day connections to major European commercial hubs such as London and Paris. The additional frequency also increases the airline’s cargo capacity by 280 tonnes per week.
“For Kenya’s flower farmers and fresh produce exporters, the early morning departure is a huge boon, allowing flowers to be picked and on their way to markets in Europe and the Gulf by dawn, arriving fresh and blooming. Along with Emirates SkyCargo’s three weekly freighters already serving Nairobi, the airline now transports over 1,100 tonnes of goods in and out of Kenya weekly,” the airline said in a statement.
Mbaika described the launch of the third scheduled flight as a strong vote of confidence in Kenya’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors.
“Kenya and the UAE have enjoyed cordial and mutually beneficial relations over the years, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership even further. I am also confident that Emirates will soon benefit from the ongoing modernisation of JKIA, which is designed to improve efficiency, capacity, and the overall passenger experience,” she added.
Kenya is targeting five million international tourist arrivals by 2030, a goal that depends heavily on improving access from key global markets.
The additional Emirates service, together with onward connections across Europe and North America, is expected to play a key role in supporting that ambition.
“As we continue to showcase Kenya to the world, enhanced air connectivity plays a vital role in the movement of people, goods and services while helping more travellers discover the incredible diversity of our destination. Emirates’ third daily service to Nairobi will make it even easier for visitors to experience Kenya’s spectacular wildlife, pristine coastline, vibrant culture and warm hospitality. We welcome this important investment in connectivity and look forward to inspiring more travellers to visit our magical destination, ‘the origin of wonder’,” said Bitok.
Emirates considers Kenya one of its most important African destinations. Since launching its first Nairobi service in 1995, the airline has transported more than six million passengers to and from Kenya, connecting the country to more than 138 destinations worldwide through its Dubai hub.
In 2023, Emirates entered into an interline partnership with Kenya Airways. Since then, more than 31,000 passengers have travelled seamlessly across the two airlines’ combined networks, with onward connections to destinations including Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, Mozambique and beyond.
The airline said the third daily flight gives travellers even greater flexibility through additional departure times that simplify regional onward travel.
“This third daily service reflects both the strength of that relationship and our confidence in the country’s future. More than adding capacity, this flight creates better connections for travellers from across Europe, North America and beyond, making it easier for people to visit Kenya, do business here, and connect with family and opportunities. It is an investment in a market we know well and a commitment to supporting Kenya’s growing role as a regional and global gateway,” said Leloup.
