Emirates has announced plans to introduce a third daily flight to Nairobi from March 1, 2026. The new service will operate using flight EK717, departing Dubai at 0055 and arriving in Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 0505. The return flight, EK718, will leave Nairobi at 0650 and arrive back in Dubai at 1250, both times local.
This addition will raise Emirates' weekly flights to Kenya to 21, enhancing passenger and cargo capacity. The airline’s decision is driven by high load factors on existing routes and aims to provide better connection options between Dubai and Nairobi, particularly for markets in Europe and the United States.
Strategic Significance and Partner Relations
The expansion aligns with Kenya’s growing economic ties with the United Arab Emirates, including a bilateral agreement signed earlier this year. Emirates commemorated its 30th anniversary of service to Nairobi last month, during which it transported over 6.6 million passengers. The airline’s freight operations will also benefit from an additional 280 tonnes of capacity through its Boeing 777 fleet.
"The new early morning flight will significantly boost capacity and accessibility for travelers and shippers," said a spokesperson for Emirates.
Emirates emphasizes its partnership with Kenya Airways, which allows for seamless onward travel to regional destinations like Rwanda, Tanzania, and Mozambique, serving over 31,000 passengers to date. The airline’s continued service expansion underscores its commitment to strengthening regional and global connectivity.
