Emirates has launched its third daily service between Dubai and Nairobi. The inaugural flight arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on 1 July. The additional frequency increases the airline’s Dubai–Nairobi operations to 21 weekly flights, boosting connectivity, tourism, trade, and cargo links between the UAE and Kenya.
The new service, EK717, departs Dubai at 01:20 and arrives in Nairobi at 05:25, while the return flight, EK718, departs Nairobi at 07:10 and reaches Dubai at 13:15. The schedule has been designed to improve connections from major destinations in Europe and North America through Dubai.
According to Emirates, the additional morning service provides international leisure travellers with more time to connect to destinations across Kenya, including national parks and coastal resorts, while business travellers benefit from same-day onward connections to key European cities.
The inaugural flight was welcomed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Christophe Leloup, Country Manager, Emirates Kenya, alongside H.E. Dr Salim Ibrahim Bin Ahmed Mohammed Alnaqbi, UAE Ambassador to Kenya; Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary, State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ministry of Roads and Transport; and Ambassador (Professor) Julius K Bitok, Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism.
Christophe Leloup, Country Manager, Emirates Kenya, said: “For three decades, Kenya has been one of Emirates’ most important destinations in Africa, and this third daily service reflects both the strength of that relationship and our confidence in the country’s future. More than adding capacity, this flight creates better connections for travellers from across Europe, North America and beyond.”
Emirates has served Nairobi since 1995 and has carried more than six million passengers on the route, connecting Kenya to over 138 destinations via Dubai.
The new frequency also adds an extra 280 tonnes of cargo capacity each week. Combined with Emirates SkyCargo’s three weekly freighter services, the airline now transports more than 1,100 tonnes of cargo to and from Kenya every week, supporting exports including flowers and fresh produce.
Emirates also said its interline partnership with Kenya Airways, launched in 2023, has enabled more than 31,000 passengers to travel across the combined networks, with onward connections to destinations including Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, and Mozambique.
Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary, State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ministry of Roads and Transport, said the additional service reflects confidence in Kenya’s aviation, tourism, and trade sectors, while Julius K Bitok, Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, said enhanced air connectivity will support the country’s efforts to attract more international visitors.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk Middle East with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.
