Emirates has completed 30 years of operations to Nairobi, Kenya, carrying over 6.6 million passengers on more than 34,250 flights since the inaugural service in October 1995.
The airline operates a double daily Boeing 777 service to Nairobi, connecting the city with over 145 countries on its network. In the past year, traffic from Asia and Australasia has been a driver of inbound travel, with passengers arriving from South Korea, China, Thailand and Australia, as well as travellers from the US.
Outbound traffic sees Kenyan passengers travelling to Shanghai and Beijing in China; Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in Australia; and Seattle, New York and Washington.
Kenya Airways partnership unlocks East African connectivity
Emirates and Kenya Airways signed an interline partnership in 2023, offering one-ticket-itineraries to destinations across East Africa. Over the past two years, 31,000 passengers have used the partnership, with a distribution of almost 50 per cent Kenya Airways passengers and 50 per cent Emirates passengers.
The destinations beyond Nairobi that Emirates passengers travel to most are Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro), Mozambique and Burundi.
“Since launch, Nairobi has been one of the most consistently busy destinations on our African network, not just with international tourists but with corporate travellers connecting with one of the continent’s major economic hubs. 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. 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,” Christophe Leloup, Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya said in a statement.
Africa’s first Emirates World store opens in Nairobi
Nairobi became home to Africa’s first Emirates World travel store in 2024. Located in the Cube, Riverside Drive, the store offers customers travel advice, displays and the airline’s experience.
Emirates remains the only airline serving Kenya with private, enclosed First Class cabins. The airline offers baggage allowances starting at two bags at 23kg each in Economy and two bags at 32kg each in First and Business Class, per traveller.
Passengers in every cabin have access to menus prepared by chefs and over 6,500 channels of entertainment, including Kenyan films, television programmes and music.
Kenya and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement earlier this year. Emirates SkyCargo operates three weekly freighters into Nairobi, in addition to bellyhold capacity in passenger aircraft.
Kenya is one of the top four flower producing countries in the world, growing roses, carnations and chrysanthemums. In 2024, Emirates SkyCargo transported over 16,000 tonnes of fresh cut flowers, moving them from farm to florist in as little as 24 hours.
Emirates employs over 1,100 Kenyans across global operations after three decades
Emirates employs a team of 50 people in Nairobi. Over 1,100 Kenyans work with The Emirates Group in roles ranging from HR, sales and marketing, to flight deck. 254 employees work as part of Emirates’ Cabin Crew community, and 41 are employed as pilots.
Emirates supports three Kenyan organisations focused on child welfare through the Emirates Airline Foundation. The Little Prince Nursery and Primary School receives support for its meal programme since 2014; Alfajiri Street Kids offers a space and programmes focusing on art therapy for more than 200 children; and the Foundation sponsors four-year scholarships for 10 students at the Starehe Boys’ Centre, which delivers support for boys and includes a high school and tertiary programmes.
