Emirates has just celebrated 30 years of flying to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
Since its inaugural flight in October 1995, Nairobi has grown to become a major African city for its operations. Some of the other major cities include Cape Town, Johannesburg, Cairo, and Casablanca.
The airline also celebrated 25 years of service to Uganda.
Key Milestones Over 30 Years
- First flight: October 1995
- Total passengers carried: Over 6.6 million
- Total flights operated: More than 34,250
- Current service: Double daily Boeing 777 flights between Nairobi and Dubai
- Global network: Connects Nairobi to over 145 destinations worldwide
- Interline partnership: Signed with Kenya Airways in 2023, offering seamless one-ticket itineraries across East Africa
Inbound & Outbound Traffic
Inbound traffic to Nairobi mainly comes from:
- Asia and Australasia, which includes China, South Korea, Thailand, and Australia
- The United States, especially from New York, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
Outbound traffic from Kenya has been equally strong, with passengers traveling to:
- Shanghai and Beijing in China
- Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney in Australia
- Seattle, New York, and Washington in the U.S.
Emirates World Store in Nairobi
Nairobi is the first African city to have an Emirates World Travel Store.
- It was opened in 2024 at The Cube, Riverside Drive
- The store features a modern, reimagined retail concept offering:
- Personalized travel advice
- Interactive, immersive displays
- A preview of Emirates’ world-class onboard experience
Related: Emirates World Store Opens in Kenya, First Store in Africa
There is one thing that Emirates lovers are still waiting for, and that is the refurbished Emirates 777.
These upgraded planes will have:
- A Premium Economy cabin, alongside refreshed Business and Economy classes
- New interior design and enhanced comfort
- Improved entertainment systems and upgraded in-flight amenities
So far, the only country in Africa with retrofitted cabins is South Africa.
Supporting Trade and Kenyan Businesses
Emirates SkyCargo has been instrumental in boosting Kenya’s export economy, especially in the horticulture sector:
- Operates three weekly freighters to Nairobi, plus cargo space on passenger aircraft
- In 2024 alone, the airline transported over 16,000 tonnes of fresh flowers. Btw, Kenya is the largest flower exporter in Africa.
- Flowers are shipped from farm to florist in under 24 hours, preserving freshness and quality
Empowering Kenyan Talent
Emirates has also been a major employer of Kenyans looking to work in a major airline. Let’s look at some numbers:
- 1,100+ Kenyans work across the Emirates Group globally. This represents about 1% of the entire Emirates staff
- 254 serve as Cabin Crew
- 41 are pilots flying Emirates’ international routes
- 50 staff are based in the Nairobi office, managing operations, HR, sales, and marketing.
Related: What Are The requirements For Being an Emirates Cabin Crew?
Giving Back to Kenya
Through the Emirates Airline Foundation, the company supports several initiatives, including:
- The Little Prince Nursery and Primary School – meal program support since 2014
- Alfajiri Street Kids – art therapy and safe spaces for over 200 children
- Starehe Boys’ Centre – four-year scholarships for 10 students annually
Kenya and the UAE continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship, recently solidified by a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
