Emirates Announces Third Daily Nairobi Service from March 2026
Emirates, with 30 years of operations in Kenya, has announced the introduction of a third daily flight to Nairobi starting March 1, 2026. With this new addition, Emirates will operate 21 flights to Nairobi each week, connecting travelers to Dubai and nearly 150 destinations within its network.
The new service enhances the existing schedule by adding early morning arrivals and departures. It improves two-way connectivity with major European destinations, including the UK, France, Norway, Italy, and the US. By increasing access from key source markets, this additional frequency supports Kenya’s tourism objectives, which aim to attract 5 million international visitors by 2030.
Flight EK717 will depart from Dubai at 00:55 hours and arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 05:05 hours. The return flight, EK718, will leave Nairobi at 06:50 hours and arrive in Dubai at 12:50 hours.
Emirates has been maintaining steady seat factors on its double-daily flights in recent months, reflecting consistent travel demand. To accommodate this demand, the airline will introduce a third daily service using a three-class Boeing 777. This additional flight will enhance capacity and provide greater access to Emirates’ onboard offerings, including First Class cabins, which will remain available on the Nairobi route.
The new schedule is aligned with key Kenya Airways connections, facilitating smooth travel to regional destinations such as Rwanda, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mozambique, and Burundi. Since the interline partnership began in 2023, over 31,000 passengers have used the combined services, with bookings nearly evenly distributed between the two airlines.
Cargo capacity will also increase by an additional 280 tonnes of weekly space for flights to and from Nairobi, utilizing the Boeing 777’s belly hold. The early morning departures will facilitate the transport of time-sensitive and temperature-controlled exports, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Kenya and the UAE continue to strengthen bilateral and economic ties, reinforced by the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement earlier this year. Emirates SkyCargo supports trade flows with Kenya through three weekly freighters, alongside the soon-to-be three daily passenger flights, offering a combined weekly capacity of more than 1,100 tonnes.
In October, Emirates celebrated 30 years of service to Nairobi, during which it has transported over 6.6 million passengers since 1995. Key inbound markets for the airline include South Korea, China, Thailand, and Australia, as well as long-haul travelers from the United States. Outbound travel from Kenya remains robust, with popular destinations including Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Seattle, New York, and Washington.
In 2024, Emirates opened Africa’s first Emirates World store in Nairobi, introducing a modern retail concept featuring interactive displays and on-site travel support.
Reservations for all three daily flights on the Dubai to Nairobi route are now open on emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates Retail Stores, and through selected travel partners.
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