Dubai students get new Emirates travel perks with special fares and extra baggage
UAE airline becomes preferred education travel partner for international network ICEF
DUBAI – Emirates has partnered with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on initiatives aimed at strengthening Dubai’s position as a global destination for higher education and international students, with new travel benefits for students studying at the emirate’s private higher education institutions.
The airline and KHDA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market 2026. The agreement introduces a range of travel benefits, including specially tailored fares, additional baggage and greater booking flexibility for eligible students travelling to and from Dubai and across the Emirates network.
The partnership also supports the objectives of Dubai’s Education 33 (E33) strategy, including improving accessibility for students, strengthening international connectivity and promoting the City of Students game changer and Study Dubai programme in international markets.
Emirates-KHDA deal
The MoU was signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Dr Wafi Dawood, CEO of the Strategic Development Sector at KHDA.
Under the agreement, Emirates will develop dedicated travel programmes for students enrolled at KHDA-regulated private higher education institutions. The proposition is designed to provide students with tailored fares and additional baggage allowances, alongside more flexibility when arranging journeys to Dubai, returning home and travelling elsewhere across the airline’s network.
Faculty and teaching staff will also be able to access travel benefits through the Emirates Academic Programme. The airline will provide dedicated travel support for students participating in the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme.
Global recruitment
The partnership extends beyond travel benefits, with Emirates joining Study Dubai student recruitment missions and international activation events alongside KHDA, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and TECOM Group.
These activities will promote Dubai as a study destination in key international markets served by Emirates. The airline and KHDA will also share insights into international student travel flows and coordinate joint marketing initiatives highlighting Dubai’s higher education sector.
Emirates operates a network of close to 140 destinations, giving the partnership an international platform for reaching prospective students and their families. The airline said the collaboration will support travel to Dubai throughout the academic journey, including repeat journeys during students’ studies.
Education is a key element of Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33) and is being advanced through the Education 33 strategy. Under the City of Students game changer, E33 aims to raise the proportion of international students enrolled at Dubai’s higher education institutions to 50% by 2033.
The strategy also targets a place for Dubai among the world’s top 10 student cities and seeks to increase education tourism tenfold.
ICEF partnership
Emirates has separately signed an MoU with International Consultants for Exhibitions and Fairs (ICEF), a global B2B network serving the international education sector. Under the agreement, Emirates becomes ICEF’s preferred airline for education travel.
ICEF operates across more than 100 countries, connecting accredited education agencies with educational institutions through events, training programmes and market intelligence platforms, including ICEF Monitor.
Emirates and ICEF will work on dedicated travel propositions for ICEF-accredited agencies and their student customers travelling across the airline’s network. The partnership will also explore booking support and account management services for ICEF member organisations.
Co-branded campaigns will target international students and education professionals, while Emirates will have a presence at major ICEF events in Berlin, Dubai and the US.
The agreement also covers training and market intelligence. Emirates will participate in ICEF Academy programmes for education agents and share insights into student travel and destination trends. The airline will also contribute to ICEF conferences through speaking opportunities and industry partnerships.