Global airline Emirates has announced the introduction of a third daily service between Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Nairobi, Kenya.
The third daily flight between the two cities, commencing on March 1, 2026, will increase the total weekly flights on the route to 21. The airline stated that demand on the Nairobi sector has continued to grow since it began operating in Kenya in October 1995.
The added frequency offers early-morning arrival and departure options in Nairobi, enhancing two-way connections to major European destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Norway, and Italy, as well as key cities in the United States.
Additionally, the expanded schedule is expected to enhance access for travelers, supporting Kenya’s tourism targets, which include attracting 5 million international visitors by 2030.
Emirates to introduce 3rd daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi
Under the new timetable, EK717 will depart Dubai at 00:55, landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 05:05.
The return service, EK718, departs Nairobi at 06:50 and arrives in Dubai at 12:50. The added rotation will be operated with a three-class Boeing 777, featuring Emirates’ first-class cabins.
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Emirates noted that its existing double-daily flights have recently been operating at strong seat factors, with the third service expanding capacity and providing broader access to its onboard products.
The revised schedule has also been coordinated to link smoothly with selected Kenya Airways services, enabling onward travel to regional points including Rwanda, Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mozambique, and Burundi. Since the establishment of the airlines’ interline agreement in 2023, more than 31,000 passengers have used the combined network, with bookings split nearly evenly.
Cargo capacity on the route will also increase, with the additional Boeing 777 flight offering a further 280 tonnes per week for exports and imports. The early departure from Nairobi is expected to support shipments of time-sensitive perishables such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
30 years of operations in Nairobi
In a report issued on 30 October, Emirates marked three decades of service to Nairobi. Over this period, the airline has carried more than 6.6 million passengers on over 34,000 flights between Nairobi and Dubai.
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Traffic has been driven by both business and leisure travel, with inbound demand from Asia, Australasia, and the United States, as well as outbound travel from Kenya to China, Australia, and North America.
Emirates currently operates double-daily Boeing 777 flights on the route, and since 2024, Nairobi has hosted Africa’s first Emirates World retail store, designed to offer an upgraded in-person sales and service experience.
The airline remains the only carrier serving Kenya with private enclosed first-class suites, and through the Emirates Airline Foundation, supports several local community initiatives, including Little Prince Nursery and Primary School, Alfajiri Street Kids, and the Starehe Boys’ Centre.
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