Boeing 777 in a three-class configuration with three daily flights to Nairobi. Photo: Shutterstock Emirates, the United Arab Emirates' giant airline, will add a third daily flight to Nairobi (NBO) starting March 1, 2026.
With this addition, Kenya's capital will enjoy 21 weekly flights from Dubai (DXB), offering quick access to Emirates' expansive global network of approximately 150 destinations.
The new flight will offer early morning departures and arrivals, enhancing two-way connectivity to major international destinations in Europe, including the UK, France, Norway, Italy, and the United States. This move is anticipated to support Kenya's tourism goals for 2030, with plans to reach 5 million international visitors.
New Flight Schedule (From March 1, 2026)
EK717: Depart Dubai 00:55 → Arrive Nairobi 05:05
EK718: Depart Nairobi 06:50 → Arrive Dubai 12:50
The route will be operated by a Boeing 777 in a three-class configuration, including a First Class cabin, the only one on this route.
Emirates reports that the route has operated at high capacity in recent years, and this expansion is aimed at meeting demand.
Photo: Shutterstock. NairobiThe new schedule, as highlighted by the airline, is coordinated with Kenya Airways flights, offering smooth connections to leading destinations in East Africa, including Rwanda, Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mozambique, and Burundi. Since the signing of the interline agreement in 2023, more than 31,000 passengers have utilized the cooperation, with almost equal shares between the two airlines.
The third flight adds approximately 280 tons of cargo capacity weekly in the belly of passenger aircraft, supporting the transportation of time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive products, including fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
Currently, the Emirates SkyCargo division operates three weekly freighter flights to Nairobi, in addition to three daily passenger flights. As a result, the weekly capacity will exceed 1,100 tons to and from the route.
The economic ties between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates are strengthening, as evidenced by the signing of the CEPA agreement this year.
Since the inaugural flight to Nairobi in 1995, Emirates has carried over 6.6 million passengers to and from Kenya, with significant traffic originating from South Korea, China, Thailand, Australia, and the USA. Additionally, there is similar demand departing Nairobi for China, Australia, and long-haul routes in the USA.
In 2024, the company opened its first Africa-based "Emirates World" concept store in Nairobi, offering a transparent retail experience and a dedicated consulting and booking team.
Nairobi continues to establish its position as a gateway to East Africa, with a range of business hotels and the growth of financial and technology centers. The expansion in flight schedules strengthens the movement of business personnel, conferences, and startups between Africa, the Gulf, and Europe.
Accessible flights to Nairobi at convenient hours support popular travel chains to Kenya's classic parks and safari sites.
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) serves as a key transit hub for the region, and the new morning-style schedule improves the flow between domestic and international connecting flights. Tight coordination with Kenya Airways schedules optimizes connections to Rwanda, Kilimanjaro, Mozambique, and Burundi.