Emirates, the world’s largest international airline has launched its third daily flight to Nairobi, commencing 1st March 2026, marking on its 30th anniversary of operations to Kenya.
With the additional frequency, the Kenyan capital will be served with 21 Emirates flights per week, connecting travellers to Dubai, and onwards to the airline’s vast global network of close to 150 destinations.
The new flight complements Emirates’ existing schedule into Nairobi, adding an early morning arrival and departure to enhance two-way connectivity with key European destinations, including the UK, France, Norway and Italy, as well as the US.
By creating easier access from key markets, the additional frequency will further support Kenya’s tourism goals, which aim to attract 5 million international tourists by 2030. EK717 will depart Dubai at 00:55 hrs, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 05:05 hrs; the return flight, EK718, will depart Nairobi at 06:50 hrs and arrive in Dubai at 12:50 hrs.
Emirates has been operating its double daily Nairobi flights at strong seat loads, reflecting rising travel demand. The introduction of a third daily service, operated by a three-class Boeing 777, will further increase capacity and offer more access to Emirates’ full suite of premium products, including its exclusive First Class cabins.
The new schedule is optimized for seamless connections with key Kenya Airways routes, improving access to regional destinations such as Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, Mozambique and Burundi. Since the two airlines signed their interline agreement in 2023, more than 31,000 passengers have benefited, with bookings evenly split between both carriers.
The additional flight also expands cargo capacity, adding 280 tons of weekly freight space to support Kenya’s export sector, particularly time-sensitive perishables such as fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers.
The launch comes as Kenya and the UAE continue to strengthen economic ties, backed by a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed earlier this year. Emirates SkyCargo already operates three weekly freighters to Nairobi, and once the third daily passenger service begins, the airline will offer over 1,100 tons of weekly cargo capacity.
In October, Emirates marked 30 years of service to Nairobi, having carried more than 6.6 million passengers since 1995 and connecting Kenya with major markets across Asia, Australia and the US. In 2024, Emirates also opened Africa’s first Emirates World store in Nairobi, bringing its next-generation retail experience to the continent.
