Emirates celebrates 30 years of connecting Dubai and Nairobi with 6.6m passengers
UAE airline marks stronger Kenya partnership, SkyCargo growth and wider humanitarian reach
DUBAI – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has reached a major milestone, celebrating 30 successful years of operations in Nairobi, Kenya.
Since the first flight in October 1995, the airline has carried more than 6.6 million passengers to and from the East African nation on over 34,250 flights.
Currently served by a double daily Boeing 777 service, Emirates connects Nairobi – one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities – with more than 145 destinations worldwide, supporting both trade and tourism.
Inbound traffic over the past year has primarily come from Asia and Australasia, particularly from countries such as South Korea, China, Thailand, and Australia, as well as long-haul travellers from the United States. Outbound passengers from Kenya have increasingly flown to major cities including Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Seattle, New York and Washington.
Emirates in Africa
In 2023, Emirates expanded its footprint in the region by signing an interline partnership with Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways. The agreement allows travellers to book one-ticket itineraries with seamless connectivity to some of East Africa’s most popular destinations. Over the past two years, more than 31,000 passengers have benefitted from the collaboration, with nearly an even split between Emirates and Kenya Airways customers.
The destinations most frequented by Emirates passengers beyond Nairobi include Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro), Mozambique, and Burundi. Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya, noted that Nairobi has consistently remained one of the busiest destinations in the airline’s African network, serving both international tourists and business travellers. He highlighted the airline’s continued commitment to enhancing travel experiences for Kenyan passengers and supporting the country’s aviation, tourism, and trade sectors.
Enhanced customer experience
In 2024, Emirates launched Africa’s first Emirates World travel store in Nairobi, introducing its reimagined retail concept. Situated in the modern Cube on Riverside Drive, the store offers customers an immersive experience, including personalised travel advice, interactive displays, and insight into the airline’s premium services.
Since the start of operations in Kenya, Emirates has continued to set industry benchmarks. It remains the only airline serving the country with fully enclosed private First Class suites. The airline also provides one of the most generous baggage policies in the industry — two bags of up to 23kg in Economy Class and two bags of up to 32kg in First and Business Class per traveller.
Onboard, passengers enjoy regionally inspired menus crafted by award-winning chefs and access to an entertainment library of more than 6,500 channels, including Kenyan films, TV programmes, and music selections.
Strengthening trade and employment
Economic and aviation ties between the UAE and Kenya continue to deepen, further boosted by the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement earlier this year. Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s freight arm, has played a crucial role in supporting this growth, operating three weekly freighters into Nairobi in addition to cargo space on passenger flights.
Kenya remains one of the top four flower-producing nations globally, with exports of roses, carnations, and chrysanthemums in high demand. In 2024, Emirates SkyCargo transported more than 16,000 tonnes of fresh flowers from Nairobi to global markets – often reaching international florists within 24 hours of harvest.
The airline has also made a significant contribution to local employment. Emirates employs 50 staff in Nairobi and over 1,100 Kenyans across its global network. Of these, 254 serve as cabin crew and 41 as pilots, flying to destinations across six continents. The airline’s commitment to career growth and international exposure has helped shape the professional journey of many Kenyan aviation specialists.
Humanitarian support
Beyond its operations, Emirates has invested in community development through the Emirates Airline Foundation, which supports three key humanitarian organisations in Kenya.
The Little Prince Nursery and Primary School provides holistic education and rehabilitation for children, with Emirates sponsoring its meal programme since 2014. The Alfajiri Street Kids initiative offers safe spaces and art therapy programmes for over 200 children, while the Foundation also funds four-year scholarships for 10 students at the Starehe Boys’ Centre, enabling underprivileged youth to pursue academic excellence through high school and tertiary studies.