Emirates is among the most popular airlines for Kenyan travellers, and Emirates is responding in kind.
The airline has announced it will launch a third daily flight to Nairobi starting 1st March 2026.
This comes just weeks after Emirates celebrated 30 years of flying to Nairobi, marking three decades of growth, tourism, and strong Kenya–UAE ties.
Besides visiting the UAE, the flight will also offer better connections to popular routes used by Kenyans traveling to the UK, France, Italy, Norway, and the United States.
It will also enhance the interline partnership with Kenya Airways, making it easier for travelers using Emirates to reach regional destinations like Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, Mozambique, and Burundi.
Why This Matters
Here are a few highlights regarding the additional flight:
- Three daily Emirates flights between Nairobi and Dubai starting in March 2026
- There will be 21 weekly Emirates flights
- This additional flight will help Kenya reach its goal of attracting 5 million international tourists by 2030
- Dubai remains one of the top destinations for Kenyan travellers, whether for tourism, shopping, business, medical travel, or connections onward to Asia, Europe, and the U.S
Details of the New Emirates Flight
- The third flight will start on the 1st of March 2026
- A three-class Boeing 777 will be used
- What does the schedule look like?
- EK717 departs Dubai at 00:55, arrives in Nairobi at 05:05
- EK718 departs Nairobi at 06:50, arrives in Dubai at 12:50
Tourism & Trade Benefits
The expanded schedule supports key sectors:
- Passenger travel: Demand for the route has been consistently high, with Emirates’ double-daily flights operating at healthy seat factors.
- Cargo: The new service adds 280 additional tonnes of cargo capacity weekly, supporting Kenya’s exports such as:
- Fresh flowers – Kenya is the biggest flower exporter in Africa
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Other perishables
- Bilateral ties: The UAE and Kenya recently signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, strengthening trade and tourism.
Emirates’ 30-Year Milestone in Kenya
In 2025, Emirates marked:
- 30 years of flying to Nairobi
- Over 6.6 million passengers have been carried between Kenya and Dubai since 1995
- Launch of Africa’s first Emirates World Store in Nairobi in 2024 — an immersive retail and customer service space.
The airline continues to bring inbound travellers from markets such as:
- South Korea
- China
- Thailand
- Australia
- The United States
Popular outbound destinations for Kenyans include:
- Shanghai & Beijing
- Melbourne, Brisbane & Sydney
- New York, Seattle & Washington D.C.
Flydubai Also Expands in Kenya
It’s not just Emirates strengthening its presence in Kenya.
- flydubai recently launched a new direct flight from Nairobi to Dubai, complementing its already successful Mombasa–Dubai route.
- This adds even more options for budget-friendly travel for Kenyans heading to Dubai.
- The move signals strong demand for UAE travel and increasing competition on the route — a win for travellers.
Why Dubai Remains a Kenyan Favourite
Kenyans love Dubai for:
- Visa convenience – though there have been delays and occasional rejections over the past couple of months
- World-class shopping – Kenyans love to shop, and what better place to shop than Dubai
- Affordable luxury
- Warm weather
- Business opportunities – more and more Kenyans are setting up businesses in Dubai, as well as investing in their real estate
- Global flight connections
- Family-friendly attractions like the Dubai Mall, Miracle Garden & Global Village
