EK717 TOUCHES DOWN IN NAIROBI FOR THE FIRST TIME

Emirates operated the inaugural flight of its third daily service between Dubai and Nairobi, EK717, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 05:00 on 1 July 2026. The additional frequency brings Emirates’ total weekly flights on the Dubai–Nairobi route to 21, increasing both passenger and cargo capacity on a corridor the airline has served since 1995, during which time it has transported more than six million passengers to and from Kenya.

The new service is timed to optimise connectivity from North American and European origin points. EK717 departs Dubai at 01:20 and arrives in Nairobi at 05:25, enabling better connectivity for passengers transiting from major US gateways and key European destinations. The return service, EK718, departs Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 07:10 and arrives in Dubai at 13:15, enabling same-day onwards connections to the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal and other European destinations.

STRATEGIC FIT FOR TOURISM AND BUSINESS TRAVEL

Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya, said the airline had operated into Nairobi for three decades and that the third daily service reflected both the strength of that relationship and confidence in Kenya’s future. He described the new flight as going beyond additional capacity, creating better connections for travellers from across Europe, North America and beyond, making it easier to visit Kenya, conduct business and connect with family and opportunities. He said it represented an investment in a market Emirates knew well and a commitment to supporting Kenya’s growing role as a regional and global gateway.

Teresia Mbaika, Principal Secretary for Aviation and Aerospace Development, said the launch was a strong vote of confidence in Kenya’s aviation, tourism and trade sectors, and noted that Kenya looked forward to the benefits Emirates would derive from the ongoing modernisation of JKIA, which is designed to improve efficiency, capacity and the passenger experience.

Ambassador Julius Bitok, Principal Secretary for Tourism, said enhanced air connectivity played a vital role in the movement of people, goods and services, and that the third daily service would make it easier for visitors to experience Kenya’s wildlife, coastline, culture and hospitality. June Chepkemei, Chief Executive of the Kenya Tourism Board, said the service would improve access from key global markets and support Kenya’s broader tourism growth, job creation and economic development objectives.

CARGO CAPACITY AND INTERLINE CONNECTIVITY

The additional frequency unlocks an extra 280 tonnes of cargo capacity each week. For Kenya’s horticultural exporters, the timing of the early morning departure enables flowers to be cut and in transit to European and Gulf markets by dawn. Combined with Emirates SkyCargo’s three existing weekly freighter services to Nairobi, the airline now transports more than 1,100 tonnes of goods in and out of Kenya each week.

The third daily service also extends the reach of the interline partnership Emirates signed with Kenya Airways in 2023, through which more than 31,000 passengers have already travelled between the two airlines’ networks, continuing to destinations including Rwanda, Kilimanjaro and Mozambique. Kenya and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement earlier in 2026, further deepening bilateral relations, and Kenya is targeting five million international tourist arrivals by 2030, an ambition in which Emirates’ expanded Nairobi services play a stated role.