Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is celebrating 30 years of successful operations in Nairobi, Kenya. Since its inaugural flight in October 1995, the airline has carried more than 6.6 million passengers on over 34,250 flights between Nairobi and destinations across its global network.
Currently operating double daily Boeing 777 services, Emirates links Nairobi—one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities—to over 145 destinations worldwide, fostering trade, tourism, and economic growth. The airline reported that key inbound traffic in the past year came from Asia, Australasia, and North America, while outbound passengers from Kenya frequently travelled to China, Australia, and the United States.
In 2023, Emirates and Kenya Airways strengthened regional connectivity through an interline partnership that enables seamless one-ticket itineraries. Since the agreement, more than 31,000 passengers have benefited, equally split between both carriers. Popular onward destinations for Emirates travellers include Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Burundi.
Christophe Leloup, Emirates Country Manager for Kenya, described Nairobi as one of the airline’s busiest and most strategic African destinations. “Over the last three decades, we have steadily and strategically expanded our operations both in the skies and on the ground to provide our renowned world-class experience in Kenya,” he said. “We are proud to play a key role in Kenya’s aviation, tourism, and trade journey and remain committed to the destination for the decades to come.”
In 2024, Nairobi became home to Africa’s first Emirates World travel store, located at The Cube on Riverside Drive. The facility offers customers immersive digital experiences, expert travel advice, and personalized service in a modern retail setting.
Emirates remains the only airline serving Kenya with private, enclosed First Class suites and offers generous baggage allowances—up to two 32kg bags in Business and First Class. Passengers enjoy regionally inspired menus, award-winning in-flight entertainment, and a library of over 6,500 channels featuring Kenyan films, TV shows, and music.
The UAE and Kenya continue to strengthen their economic ties, underscored by the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement earlier this year. Emirates SkyCargo plays a pivotal role in this relationship, operating three weekly freighters and transporting over 16,000 tonnes of Kenya’s world-renowned fresh-cut flowers in 2024 alone.
Emirates also contributes to Kenya’s employment landscape, with 50 staff based in Nairobi and more than 1,100 Kenyans working across the Emirates Group worldwide—including 254 cabin crew and 41 pilots.
Through the Emirates Airline Foundation, the carrier supports Kenyan humanitarian initiatives focused on child welfare, including The Little Prince Nursery and Primary School, Alfajiri Street Kids, and Starehe Boys’ Centre, offering education, nutrition, and scholarships for underprivileged children.
