Emirates has strengthened its operations in Kenya with the launch of its third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi, taking the total number of weekly services on the route to 21. The inaugural EK717 flight landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 5:00 am, marking another milestone in the airline's three-decade presence in the country.

The new service has been introduced as part of the airline's summer schedule, offering travellers more flexibility and improved onward connections to destinations across Europe, North America, and Africa.

Flight EK717 departs Dubai at 01:20 and arrives in Nairobi at 05:25, while the return service, EK718, leaves Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 07:10 and reaches Dubai at 13:15. The revised schedule allows passengers to connect more conveniently to destinations including the UK, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.

The additional morning service also benefits international tourists by giving them more time to continue their journey to destinations such as Kenya's national parks and coastal resorts. Business travellers will also benefit from same-day connections to major commercial centres, including London and Paris.

The inaugural flight was welcomed by Christophe Leloup, Emirates' Country Manager for Kenya, along with H.E. Dr. Salim Ibrahim Bin Ahmed Mohammed Alnaqbi, UAE Ambassador to Kenya, Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary of State Department for Aviation & Aerospace Development, Ambassador (Professor) Julius K. Bitok, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, and members of the Emirates team.

Commenting on the launch, Christophe Leloup, Emirates' Country Manager for Kenya, said, "For three decades, Kenya has been one of Emirates' most important destinations in Africa, and this third daily service reflects both the strength of that relationship and our confidence in the country's future. More than adding capacity, this flight creates better connections for travellers from across Europe, North America and beyond, making it easier for people to visit Kenya, do business here, and connect with family and opportunities. It is an investment in a market we know well and a commitment to supporting Kenya's growing role as a regional and global gateway."

Emirates first launched flights to Nairobi in 1995 and has since carried more than six million passengers between Kenya and its global network of over 138 destinations through Dubai.

Welcoming the new service, Teresia Mbaika, CBS, Principal Secretary, Aviation and Aerospace Development, said, "I congratulate Emirates on the launch of its third scheduled flight into Nairobi. This is a strong vote of confidence in Kenya’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors. Kenya and the UAE have enjoyed cordial and mutually beneficial relations over the years, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership even further. I am also confident that Emirates will soon benefit from the ongoing modernisation of JKIA, which is designed to improve efficiency, capacity, and the overall passenger experience."

The airline has also strengthened regional connectivity through its interline partnership with Kenya Airways, signed in 2023. More than 31,000 passengers have already travelled across the combined networks, connecting to destinations including Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, and Mozambique.

The third daily service also increases Emirates' cargo capacity by 280 tonnes per week, providing an additional boost for Kenya's flower growers and fresh produce exporters. Combined with Emirates SkyCargo's three weekly freighter services, the airline now transports over 1,100 tonnes of cargo to and from Kenya every week.

The launch follows the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the UAE earlier this year, further strengthening trade and economic ties. It also supports Kenya's goal of welcoming five million international tourists by 2030 through improved international connectivity.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador (Professor) Julius K. Bitok, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, said, "As we continue to showcase Kenya to the world, enhanced air connectivity plays a vital role in movement of people, goods and services while helping more travellers discover the incredible diversity of our destination. Emirates' third daily service to Nairobi will make it even easier for visitors to experience Kenya's spectacular wildlife, pristine coastline, vibrant culture and warm hospitality. We welcome this important investment in connectivity and look forward to inspiring more travellers to visit our magical destination – ‘the origin of wonder’."

June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, added, "As Kenya continues to pursue ambitious tourism growth, strong international air connectivity remains one of our greatest enablers. The third daily service from Emirates will improve access for visitors from key global markets and support our efforts to grow tourism, create jobs and deliver greater economic value for communities across the country. Together with partners like Emirates, we look forward to welcoming more travellers to experience the unparalleled beauty and diversity of Destination Kenya."