en.Wedoany.com Reported - Emirates has upgraded its Dubai-Nairobi route to three daily flights, bringing the total weekly flights to 21. The new EK717 flight arrived at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport after 5:00 AM on July 1, officially commencing operations.
The flight departs Dubai at 1:20 AM and arrives in Nairobi at 5:25 AM, a timing that facilitates connections for passengers from major cities in Europe and North America. The return flight EK718 departs Nairobi at 7:10 AM and arrives in Dubai at 1:15 PM. The new early morning schedule allows international travelers more time to reach wildlife reserves or Kenya's coastal areas, while business travelers can continue their journey to European cities such as London and Paris on the same day.
At the inauguration ceremony, Dr. Salim Ibrahim Bin Ahmed Mohammed Alnaqbi, UAE Ambassador to Kenya; Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development in Kenya; Ambassador and Professor Julius K. Bitok, Principal Secretary for Tourism; and representatives from Emirates were in attendance.
Emirates has operated the Nairobi route since 1995. Over the past three decades, the route has carried more than 6 million passengers, connecting Kenya to over 138 destinations worldwide via the Dubai hub. Christophe Leloup, Country Manager for Kenya, stated that Kenya has remained one of the airline's most important destinations in Africa for thirty years, and this frequency increase reflects both this close relationship and confidence in Kenya's future prospects. The new flights not only enhance capacity but also provide better connectivity for travelers from Europe, North America, and other regions.
The new flights add 280 tons of weekly cargo capacity to the freight network between Kenya and the UAE. The early morning schedule benefits exporters, particularly those in the flower and fresh produce sectors, by accelerating the entry of goods into international markets. Combined with Emirates SkyCargo's three weekly freighter services to Nairobi, the airline currently carries over 1,100 tons of cargo to and from Kenya each week.
The launch of the new flights comes as Kenya actively pursues its goal of welcoming 5 million international tourists by 2030. June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, noted that the additional services will improve access for tourists from key global markets. She emphasized that international air connectivity remains one of the biggest drivers of tourism growth. Earlier this year, Kenya and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to strengthen bilateral economic ties. Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development in Kenya, stated that Emirates' frequency increase is a strong vote of confidence in Kenya's aviation, tourism, and trade sectors. The interline agreement signed between Emirates and Kenya Airways in 2023 has already served over 31,000 passengers, covering destinations such as Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, and Mozambique. Ambassador and Professor Julius K. Bitok, Principal Secretary for Tourism in Kenya, said that enhanced air connectivity plays a central role in the movement of people, goods, and services, and also helps more travelers discover Kenya's diverse tourism attractions.
