Dubai, 17th October 2025 – In a colorful ceremony at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, flydubai celebrated the launch of its new four-times-weekly service connecting Dubai to Nairobi.
The route marks a major step in deepening ties between Kenya and the UAE.
With this launch, flydubai now operates a total of 11 weekly flights to Kenya, including a daily service to Mombasa. The service to Mombasa was made a daily service as of October 1st. Initially, it operated 4 times a week.
Related: FlyDubai To Start Direct Flights To Mombasa
“Kenya remains an important destination for flydubai … we are excited to welcome more passengers on board to experience a convenient and comfortable travel journey,” said Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional SVP, Commercial Operations.
In 2025, flydubai was ranked as the 75th best airline in the world.
Flight Schedule: Dubai ↔ Nairobi
- FZ 1581: Dubai (DXB) → Nairobi (NBO), 13:30 → 17:55 (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Sundays) – It will be departing from Terminal 3 at the DXB
- FZ 1582: Nairobi (NBO) → Dubai (DXB), 18:55 → 01:20 (next day)
How Much Will Flydubai Tickets to Nairobi Cost?
- Business Class from Dubai to Nairobi: from AED 4,500, which is about KSh 170,000
- Economy Lite from Dubai to Nairobi: from AED 1,450, which is about KSh 55,000
- From Nairobi back to Dubai: Business – USD 2,000 (KSh 250,000), Economy Lite – USD 440 (KSh 55,000)
Why This Matters (And Where the Competition Stands)
- Growing airline competition: For Kenyans flying to the UAE, choices are multiplying. Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia, and now flydubai all serve Nairobi or routes to the UAE.
- Etihad’s push: Etihad Airways is also escalating competition – it’s increasing its Nairobi–Abu Dhabi service to 14 weekly flights starting December 2025.
Related: Flight Review: Etihad Airways from Nairobi to Abu Dhabi - Mombasa route: flydubai’s daily service to Mombasa rounds out its Kenyan footprint, offering both beach and city options for travelers.
- Transit hubs & competitive advantage: Gulf airlines are leveraging their major airports – offering more affordable airfares, transit options, and even transit visas – to attract passengers away from European or African carriers.
- Kenya–UAE demand: The vibrant Kenyan diaspora, business ties, tourism, and cultural links make Kenya a prime market for UAE airlines. Many Kenyans also fly via Qatar Airways through Doha because it can be more economical.
Related: Flydubai Cabin Crew Salary Per Month
