Emirates Adds Third Daily Nairobi Service to Boost Kenya’s Tourism Growth
Emirates is set to introduce a third daily flight on the Dubai–Nairobi route from 1 March 2026, marking a significant expansion as the airline celebrates 30 years of operations in Kenya. The additional service will bring the total number of weekly flights to 21, enhancing connectivity for travellers heading to Dubai and the airline’s global network of nearly 150 destinations.
The new frequency adds an early morning arrival and departure, improving two-way connections with major European gateways—including London, Paris, Oslo and Rome—as well as the United States. This increased accessibility is expected to support Kenya’s ambition of attracting five million international tourists by 2030.
The service, designated EK717/718, will be operated using a three-class Boeing 777 aircraft, offering Emirates’ renowned First Class product, which remains unique on the Nairobi route. The airline reports healthy seat factors on its existing double daily flights, demonstrating strong demand for travel.
Cargo capacity will also increase, with an additional 280 tonnes of weekly freight space to support Kenya’s export sector. The early morning departure is expected to particularly benefit exporters of fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables and cut flowers.
The new schedule has been developed to complement services by Kenya Airways, enabling smooth connections to regional destinations including Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, Mozambique and Burundi. Since their 2023 interline agreement, over 31,000 passengers have already taken advantage of the joint network.
The announcement comes during a period of strengthening UAE–Kenya ties, highlighted by a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed earlier this year. Emirates SkyCargo continues to play a central role in bilateral trade, operating three weekly freighters alongside its passenger services, bringing total weekly cargo capacity to more than 1,100 tonnes.
Over the past three decades, Emirates has carried more than 6.6 million passengers to and from Kenya, with particularly strong inbound demand from South Korea, China, Thailand, Australia and the United States. Outbound travellers from Nairobi continue to favour cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Seattle, New York and Washington.
In 2024, the airline opened Africa’s first Emirates World retail store in Nairobi, offering an immersive customer experience and personalised travel support.
Bookings for all three daily flights are now available via the Emirates website, the Emirates app, retail stores and authorised travel agents.
