Emirates Airlines is banking on the Kenya–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and its growing partnership with Kenya Airways to expand its operations in Kenya.
The airline’s Country Manager, Christophe Leloup, said the bilateral trade pact between Nairobi and Abu Dhabi has set the stage for increased exports, cargo flows and investment opportunities.
The initiatives, the Airline says it will support through enhanced air connectivity to strengthen the countries position as a regional aviation and trade hub.
“The CEPA is a major milestone between Kenya and the UAE. Both countries are looking to boost trade, business, and tourism over the next five years, and Emirates is playing a central role in facilitating those connections,” said Leloup, speaking during a roundtable in Nairobi to mark Emirates’ 30th anniversary in Kenya.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, signed last year, aims to remove trade barriers, promote investment and accelerate Kenyan exports to the Gulf nations.
Leloup said Emirates’ existing operations including three weekly freighter flights between Nairobi and Europe have already positioned the airline as a key enabler of that goal.
Last year alone, the Dubai-based carrier transported over 16,000 tons of Kenyan flowers, in addition to fruits, vegetables, and meat, to global markets.
Leloup said this cargo activity is expected to increase under the new trade framework, as more Kenyan producers tap into UAE and Middle Eastern demand.
“Emirates is supporting Kenya’s export ambitions by connecting local producers to the world. We see Nairobi not just as a passenger hub, but as a growing cargo gateway into the Middle East, Europe, and Asia,” he added.
Leloup also pointed to the success of the interline partnership between Emirates and Kenya Airways, signed in 2023, which he said is unlocking new opportunities for intra-Africa and long-haul travel.
Over the past two years, more than 31,000 passengers have flown under the codeshare agreement, with demand balanced between both carriers.
Emirates passengers connect via KQ to destinations such as Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique, and Burundi, while KQ passengers connect through Dubai on Emirates to the U.S., China, Asia and Europe.
“The partnership with Kenya Airways is strategic, it allows Emirates to reach destinations in Africa where we don’t operate directly, while giving KQ passengers seamless access to our global network of over 150 destinations,” Leloup noted.
He added that the collaboration aligns with Emirates’ long-term view of Kenya as the gateway to East Africa, and the airline intends to grow capacity as passenger and cargo demand increases.
Since launching operations in Kenya in October 1995, Emirates has carried more than 6.6 million passengers and operated over 34,000 flights. The airline employs over 1,100 Kenyans globally, including 250 cabin crew and 40 pilots.
Kenya was Emirates’ first East African route, followed by Dar es Salaam, and remains its key hub in the region. Leloup said the airline continues to support tourism and economic recovery by connecting Kenya to major source markets in Europe, the U.S., Asia, and Australia.
As Kenya moves toward an open skies policy, Leloup said Emirates fully supports liberalisation of African airspace, noting it would promote competition, lower fares, and boost travel and trade.
“Open skies provide opportunities for business and leisure, and help reduce the cost of travel. Emirates will remain a key player in connecting Kenya to the world,” he said.
by JACKTONE LAWI
