Emirates is celebrating 30 years of operations in Australia, marking three decades of connecting Australian travelers with destinations worldwide while supporting tourism, international trade, and local communities. The airline launched its first Australian service to Melbourne in June 1996 and has since expanded to five major gateways: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Today, Emirates operates 70 weekly services across Australia, linking the country to nearly 140 destinations through its Dubai hub. The anniversary highlights the airline’s growing role in international travel and its long term commitment to Australia’s aviation and tourism industries.
Three Decades of Connecting Australia With the World
Emirates began its Australian operations with three weekly flights to Melbourne in 1996 before gradually expanding its network in response to growing travel demand. Sydney joined the network in 2000, followed by Perth in 2002, Brisbane in 2003, and Adelaide in 2012. This expansion has strengthened Australia’s international connections, offering travelers access to destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas through Dubai. According to the airline, it has carried more than 40 million passengers between Australia and the world over the past three decades.
Melbourne has remained central to Emirates’ Australian operations, with flight frequency and aircraft capacity increasing over time. By 2017, the airline was operating three daily services between Melbourne and Dubai, and from March 2018, all three were scheduled to use the Airbus A380. Following the restoration of services after the pandemic, Emirates introduced a second daily A380 flight in May 2022, providing more than 1,000 seats per day between the two cities. These developments have broadened travel options while supporting tourism, business travel, and visits to friends and relatives across international borders.
Modern Aircraft Enhance the Travel Experience
Emirates has continued introducing its latest aircraft and upgraded cabin products in Australia, reflecting the country’s importance within its global network. In December 2025, Adelaide became the first destination in the airline’s worldwide network to receive the ultra long range Airbus A350. Earlier that year, Melbourne became the first Australian city to welcome Emirates’ First Class Game Changer suites aboard a retrofitted Boeing 777. These developments demonstrate the airline’s investment in passenger comfort and its efforts to improve the long haul travel experience.
According to Emirates, 56 of its 70 weekly Australia Dubai services now operate with its latest next generation products and refreshed cabins, providing more than 5,000 Premium Economy seats each week across its five Australian gateways. The airline is also continuing an extensive retrofit program to upgrade 219 aircraft with updated interiors. For international travelers, these improvements provide additional cabin choices and more comfortable connections through Dubai when planning journeys between Australia and destinations worldwide.
Tourism Partnerships and Economic Contributions
Emirates says it has invested more than AU$230 million in Australian sport, culture, and community initiatives, including partnerships with the Australian Open, Collingwood Football Club, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. The airline has also maintained a long standing relationship with the Victoria Racing Club. Such partnerships connect Emirates with local communities and support sporting and cultural activities that can attract visitors and contribute to Australia’s wider visitor economy.
The airline has also invested in tourism infrastructure through its involvement with Wolgan Valley in New South Wales. Since 2006, Emirates has invested AU$150 million in the property, including restoring historically significant landmarks and planting more than one million native trees. In 2026, it committed a further AU$50 million in partnership with Marriott International to transform the property into Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz Carlton Lodge, with an anticipated opening in early 2027. The development is expected to add to Australia’s luxury accommodation offerings while emphasizing the property’s environmental and cultural heritage.
Stronger Air Connectivity Supports Tourism and Trade
Emirates contributes to Australian tourism by connecting international travelers with the country’s five gateways. During the 2024–25 financial year, the airline carried 2.6 million passengers on Australian routes and transported 79,000 tonnes of high value cargo, with freight volumes increasing by 12% year on year. Emirates also connects travelers from 74 destinations across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to Australia, helping international visitors reach cities and tourism destinations across the country.
The airline’s wider economic contribution includes AU$1.1 billion in annual operational spending in Australia and employment for more than 8,000 Australians across the Emirates Group. Its commercial partnership with Qantas, established in 2013, has further strengthened connectivity through integrated networks, scheduling, pricing, and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. The two airlines have carried more than 17 million passengers through their alliance, according to Emirates. To mark its anniversary, Emirates is also serving a special menu inspired by Australian cuisine across its flights and airport lounges in the country. As the airline enters its fourth decade in Australia, its continued investment in connectivity, passenger services, and local partnerships is expected to remain important to international tourism and travel.
