Emirates Marks 30 Years of Flights to Nairobi
Emirates has celebrated 30 years of operations in Nairobi, marking three decades of connecting Kenya to global markets, tourism hubs and trade corridors.
Since launching its inaugural flight in October 1995, the airline has transported more than 6.6 million passengers on over 34,250 flights to and from Kenya. Today, Nairobi is served by a double-daily Boeing 777 service, linking the city to Emirates’ network of over 145 destinations worldwide.
In the past year, the airline recorded strong inbound travel from Asia and Australasia – particularly China, South Korea, Thailand and Australia – alongside passengers from the United States. Outbound travel mirrored these patterns, with Kenyan travellers increasingly flying to major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Seattle, New York and Washington.
Emirates’ partnership with Kenya Airways, signed in 2023, has significantly boosted connectivity within East Africa. Through one-ticket itineraries, travellers can seamlessly link to high-demand regional destinations. In the last two years, 31,000 passengers have taken advantage of the partnership, with Rwanda, Malawi, Kilimanjaro, Mozambique and Burundi emerging as popular onward routes.
Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya, said: “Since launch, Nairobi has been one of the most consistently busy destinations on our African network, not just with international tourists but with corporate travellers connecting with one of the continent’s major economic hubs. We are proud to play a key role in Kenya’s aviation, tourism and trade journey and remain committed to the destination for the decades to come.”
In 2024, Nairobi became home to Africa’s first Emirates World travel store, located at The Cube on Riverside Drive. The modern retail space offers expert travel consultation, immersive digital displays and an enhanced customer experience.
Emirates remains the only airline serving Kenya with private First Class suites, and offers market-leading baggage allowances – starting at two 23kg bags for Economy Class passengers. Travellers can enjoy regionally inspired cuisine and access to over 6,500 entertainment channels, including Kenyan films, music and television.
Trade relations have also been strengthened through Emirates SkyCargo, which runs three weekly freighter services to Nairobi in addition to bellyhold cargo capacity on passenger flights. Kenya, one of the world’s largest flower producers, benefits from rapid export logistics. In 2024, SkyCargo transported more than 16,000 tonnes of fresh-cut flowers, delivering them from farm to international markets in as little as 24 hours.
Beyond aviation and trade, Emirates contributes to Kenya’s employment and social development. More than 1,100 Kenyans work across the Emirates Group globally, including 254 cabin crew and 41 pilots. The Emirates Airline Foundation also supports three Kenyan organisations focused on child welfare: The Little Prince Nursery and Primary School, Alfajiri Street Kids, and the Starehe Boys’ Centre.
As it marks its 30th anniversary, Emirates says its focus remains on expanding connectivity, supporting tourism and trade, and strengthening long-standing ties between Kenya and the UAE.
