en.Wedoany.com Reported - Emirates has announced it is technically ready to launch daily flights to Berlin and Stuttgart, pending approval from Germany's Federal Ministry of Transport. If approved, the airline will invest over €100 million annually in operating these routes.
The Dubai-based carrier stated that the proposed routes aim to increase capacity for two major German cities currently lacking direct long-haul international services. Berlin, Germany's political center with a population of approximately 3.9 million, boasts a large diplomatic community, startup ecosystem, and tourism industry. According to OAG flight data, over 85% of international routes at Berlin Brandenburg Airport are within Europe. Stuttgart, the economic hub of Baden-Württemberg—one of Germany's most export-oriented regions—similarly lacks the long-haul connections needed by manufacturers, suppliers, and trading partners.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, said the company is ready to provide daily wide-body connections to Berlin and Stuttgart, linking these cities to destinations worldwide through its extensive network, backed by substantial investment. He noted that these two cities are among Germany's most important economic centers but remain underserved in terms of long-haul connectivity. German businesses have expressed demand for these routes, and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce has also called for their introduction. Company data indicates market demand exists, and flights are expected to operate at full capacity.
The daily flights will connect Berlin and Stuttgart via Dubai to 50 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Australasia—destinations currently not served by German airlines. In 2025, Emirates carried 2.36 million passengers to and from Germany, with approximately 40% traveling between Dubai and Germany and 60% transiting through Dubai. The airline's largest Germany-related markets include Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.
These routes are expected to create hundreds of jobs. A 2012 study by the German Aerospace Centre estimated that Emirates' daily flights to Berlin and Stuttgart would generate nearly 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, a figure the company says remains broadly accurate today.
Cargo operations are a core component of the proposal. Each daily Boeing 777-300ER flight will provide over 280 tons of belly-hold cargo capacity per week, supporting imports and exports including pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, machinery, and transport technology components.
Berlin's business community has long pushed for enhanced long-haul connections. A 2023 survey by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that 75% of respondents considered the city's long-haul flight supply inadequate or insufficient. Dubai was listed as the top destination requiring improved connectivity.
These flights will also support inbound tourism from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In 2024, Germany recorded nearly 1.2 million overnight stays from GCC visitors, contributing approximately €2.3 billion to the German economy. The German National Tourist Board projects that GCC visitor numbers will reach 3 million annually by the end of the decade. Emirates' direct flights will increase Berlin and Stuttgart's visibility among GCC travelers, many of whom currently choose destinations with direct wide-body service.
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