Emirates Celebrates 30 Years of Connecting Nairobi to the World

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is celebrating 30 years of operations in Nairobi, marking three decades of connecting Kenya with the world. Since launching its first flight in October 1995, Emirates has carried more than 6.6 million passengers on over 34,000 flights between Dubai and the Kenyan capital.

Today, the airline operates double daily Boeing 777 flights to Nairobi, linking one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities to over 145 destinations worldwide. Emirates continues to support Kenya’s tourism and trade sectors by facilitating passenger and cargo movement across Asia, Australasia, Europe, and the Americas. Inbound travellers to Nairobi largely come from South Korea, China, Thailand, Australia, and the United States, while Kenyan passengers frequently travel to cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Sydney, and New York.

To expand regional connectivity, Emirates partnered with Kenya Airways in 2023 through an interline agreement, enabling single-ticket itineraries across both networks. The partnership has already benefited 31,000 passengers, connecting travellers to destinations such as Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, and Burundi.

“Nairobi has always been one of our most dynamic and important destinations in Africa,” said Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya. “Over the past three decades, we’ve grown steadily to provide a world-class travel experience and play a key role in Kenya’s aviation, tourism, and trade journey. We remain deeply committed to this market for years to come.”

In 2024, Nairobi became home to Africa’s first Emirates World travel store, located at The Cube on Riverside Drive. The innovative retail space offers customers expert travel planning, immersive displays, and personalized experiences that reflect the airline’s premium service.

Emirates remains the only carrier in Kenya offering private First Class suites, along with generous baggage allowances and award-winning in-flight dining inspired by regional cuisines. Passengers enjoy over 6,500 entertainment options, including Kenyan films, TV shows, and music.

Strengthening bilateral ties, Kenya and the UAE recently signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, underlining a robust trade relationship. Emirates SkyCargo supports this connection by operating three weekly freighters to Nairobi, transporting goods such as Kenya’s globally renowned flowers. In 2024 alone, over 16,000 tonnes of fresh-cut flowers were shipped from Kenya to markets worldwide.

Beyond aviation, Emirates contributes to the Kenyan economy through employment and community support. The airline employs over 1,100 Kenyans across its global operations, including 254 cabin crew and 41 pilots.

Through the Emirates Airline Foundation, the company also backs local humanitarian initiatives, supporting The Little Prince Nursery and Primary School, Alfajiri Street Kids, and Starehe Boys’ Centre, providing education, scholarships, and welfare support for children in need.

As Emirates celebrates this milestone, the airline reaffirms its long-term commitment to Kenya, continuing to strengthen air connectivity, trade, and cultural exchange between Nairobi and the world.