Emirates Adds More Flights On Nairobi-Dubai Route In Response To Increasing Competition
The expansion underscores the airline’s long-term investment in the region, coming after 30 years of operations that have seen more than 6.6 million passengers flown in and out of Kenya.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Emirates, the world's largest international airline, is stepping up its presence in Kenya by rolling out a third daily flight to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) starting March 1, 2026, an added service which will bring the total number of weekly flights along the Dubai–Nairobi route to 21.
According to a statement from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based airline, the expansion underscores the airline’s long-term investment in the region, coming after 30 years of operations that have seen more than 6.6 million passengers flown in and out of Kenya.
The new frequency is scheduled to tap into early morning traffic, boosting seamless connections across Emirates’ global network—especially to major destinations in Europe such as the United Kingdom (UK), France, Norway, and Italy, as well as the United States.
“By creating easier access from key markets, the additional frequency will further support Kenya’s tourism goals, which aim to attract five million international tourists by 2030,” the Emirates statement read in part.
An Emirates aircraft at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on September 13, 2020. /EMIRATES
“In recent months, Emirates has been operating its double daily flights at a healthy seat factor, underlining the growing demand for air travel. The third daily service will boost Emirates’ capacity and provide more access to the airline’s world-class product and services, including its First Class cabins, which Emirates exclusively operates in and out of the city.”
Schedule & Breakdown
Under the revised schedule, flight EK717 will leave Dubai at 00:55 and touch down at JKIA at 05:05. Its return leg, EK718, is set to depart Nairobi at 06:50 and reach Dubai at 12:50.
Breakdown of new schedule:
Flight |
Route |
Departure (DXB/NBO) |
Arrival (NBO/DXB) |
EK717 |
Dubai to Nairobi |
00:55 hrs |
05:05 hrs |
EK718 |
Nairobi to Dubai |
06:50 hrs |
12:50 hrs |
The route will be served using a three-class Boeing 777, giving passengers access to Emirates’ full premium lineup, including its flagship First Class suites. The carrier is the only airline that serves Kenya with this high-tier option.
Passengers on Emirates flights between Dubai and Nairobi can also look forward to a premium travel experience through its Business, and Economy cabins, featuring gourmet dining, a wide-ranging in-flight entertainment system, and top-tier amenities.
With Kenya targeting 5 million international visitors by 2030, Emirates’ move to introduce a third daily Dubai–Nairobi rotation is expected to significantly bolster the goal of supporting Kenya's tourism push. The added frequency slots into the morning window, strengthening onward connections to major markets in Europe, North America, and other key regions.
International travellers will benefit from smoother links to Nairobi, along with easier transfers to regional destinations such as Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, Mozambique, and Burundi. The early morning Dubai departure is tailored for both holidaymakers and corporate passengers, further deepening tourism and commercial ties between the UAE and Kenya.
Cargo
Aside from boosting passenger traffic, the extra frequency will expand cargo capacity, adding roughly 280 tonnes a week for shipments moving in and out of Nairobi via the Boeing 777’s belly hold. The early morning schedule is thus a win for exporters of perishable goods—such as fresh produce and flowers—where fast, temperature-controlled delivery is essential.
Kenya’s economic ties with the UAE continue to grow, reinforced by a comprehensive economic partnership deal sealed earlier in 2025.
Emirates SkyCargo has been central to supporting this trade, already flying three dedicated freighters to Nairobi each week. Combined with the upcoming third daily passenger service, the airline will offer more than 1,100 tonnes of weekly cargo space to and from Kenya.
30 Years Ago
In October, Emirates celebrated three decades of operations in Nairobi, tracing back to its first flight in 1995. Over that period, the carrier has transported more than 6.6 million passengers to and from Kenya, drawing strong inbound demand from markets like South Korea, China, Thailand, and Australia, as well as long-haul travellers from the United States.
Outbound travel trends mirror this, with Kenyan passengers frequently heading to cities such as Shanghai and Beijing in China; Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney in Australia; and Seattle, New York, and Washington in the US.
In 2024, the airline launched Africa’s first Emirates World store in Nairobi, bringing its signature premium retail concept to the continent. The space showcases interactive product experiences and offers expert guidance for booking and travel planning, further enhancing Emirates’ on-the-ground customer service.
Competition
Emirates' decision to add more flights on this route is seen as a serious intent of establishing itself as a go-to airline for passengers.
Competition on the NBO-DXB route heightened recently with the entry of Flydubai, an Emirati government-owned airline, currently operating four weekly flights between Dubai and Nairobi, supplementing its upgraded Mombasa service to daily operations, meaning the airline operates a total of 11 flights to Kenya per week.
