Emirates Marks 30 Successful Years of Flying to Nairobi
Emirates has proudly served Nairobi, Kenya, for thirty years since its inaugural flight in October 1995. Over this period, the airline has transported more than 6.6 million passengers across 34,250 flights.
Connecting Nairobi to over 145 countries, Emirates’ double daily Boeing 777 service has significantly enhanced trade and tourism, especially increasing traffic from Asia and Australasia. Popular outbound destinations for travelers from Kenya include cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, New York, and Seattle.
To bolster its offerings, Emirates and Kenya Airways established an interline partnership in 2023, enabling seamless travel arrangements for over 31,000 passengers. The most frequently traveled destinations include Rwanda, Malawi, and Tanzania.
Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya, stated: “Nairobi has consistently been one of our busiest destinations in Africa, serving both international tourists and corporate travelers. Over the past three decades, we’ve expanded our operations to enhance our world-class service in Kenya.”
In planning for the future, Nairobi boasts Africa’s first Emirates World travel store, which showcases the airline’s innovative retail concept launched in 2024.
Emirates prides itself on providing an exceptional passenger experience and remains the only airline in Kenya to offer private First Class cabins. Passengers can enjoy generous baggage allowances and a variety of regionally inspired menus crafted by award-winning chefs.
With Kenya being a leading flower producer globally, Emirates SkyCargo plays a vital role in trade, facilitating the transport of over 16,000 tonnes of fresh cut flowers yearly.
Beyond business, Emirates is committed to supporting local communities through various humanitarian initiatives. The Emirates Airline Foundation actively contributes to children’s welfare across Kenya.
This milestone reflects a significant journey for Emirates and its ongoing commitment to Kenya’s aviation, tourism, and trade sectors.
