Emirates has launched its third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi, with EK717 arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport early on July 1.
The new service increases Emirates’ Dubai-Nairobi operations
to 21 weekly flights, improving links for tourists, business travellers and
exporters.
The morning schedule enables smoother onward travel to
Kenya’s parks and coast, while supporting same-day connections to European
hubs.
The additional frequency adds 280 tonnes of weekly cargo
capacity, benefiting flower and fresh produce exporters.
Emirates, which began Nairobi operations in 1995, now
connects Kenya to over 138 destinations through Dubai, supporting the country’s
tourism and trade ambitions.
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."
"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,”
said Teresia Mbaika, CBS, Principal Secretary, Aviation and Aerospace
Development.
Ambassador Julius 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, the CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board said, “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.” -TradeArabia News Service