Emirates has celebrated 40 years of operations in Egypt, marking the milestone with a gala dinner at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo on 25 October 2026. Since launching services to the country in April 1986, the airline has played an important role in connecting Egypt with the United Arab Emirates and international destinations, supporting passenger travel, tourism, and economic links between markets.
The celebration brought together Egyptian government officials, aviation and tourism representatives, business partners, media personnel, and senior Emirates executives. Among the attendees were Yomna El Bahar, Vice Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, and Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. The event also featured performances by musicians and singers, while the airline recognized leading Egyptian travel agency partners for their contribution to its growth in the market.
From Three Weekly Flights to Daily Global Connections
Emirates began flying to Cairo with just three weekly services, making Egypt the first market in the Middle East and Africa region to join its network after the airline was founded. Over the past four decades, its operations have expanded significantly, reflecting the growing demand for international travel and the importance of Cairo within the airline’s global network.
Today, Emirates operates five daily flights between Dubai and Cairo using Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. According to the airline, it has carried more than 13.2 million passengers on nearly 50,000 flights between the two cities since operations began. Through its Dubai hub, travellers from Egypt can connect to close to 140 destinations across six continents, including Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Seoul, Osaka, and Hong Kong.
Supporting Tourism and Egyptian Trade
Emirates continues to contribute to Egypt’s tourism sector by improving international connectivity and making the country more accessible to visitors from global markets. Its operations support Egypt’s national tourism strategy, which aims to attract 30 million visitors annually by 2028. Speaking at the anniversary celebration, Adnan Kazim highlighted Egypt’s importance to the airline and expressed confidence in future opportunities for tourism and travel growth, particularly with major developments such as the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Beyond passenger transportation, Emirates SkyCargo supports Egyptian businesses by connecting local products with international markets. Over the past five years, the cargo division has transported more than 170,000 tonnes of imports and exports between Cairo and global destinations using the cargo capacity of passenger aircraft. Key Egyptian exports include fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, grapes, guavas, mangoes, and strawberries, while imports include electronics, pharmaceuticals, and general cargo.
Continued Investment in Customer Experience
Emirates is also investing in services designed to improve the travel experience for passengers flying to and from Egypt. Travellers departing from Cairo can access the Emirates Lounge at Cairo International Airport, which opened in 2018, offering a dedicated space to relax before their flights. These ground services complement the airline’s operations with Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft, providing customers with access to its onboard products and services.
The airline further strengthened its local presence with the opening of the Emirates World store in Cairo in January 2025. The store provides personalized travel advice and allows customers to explore the airline’s offerings and arrange future journeys in one place. As Emirates marks four decades in Egypt, its continued investment in connectivity, cargo services, and customer facilities underscores its long standing relationship with the country and its commitment to supporting future travel and trade opportunities.
