Emirates is entering the winter travel season with strong passenger demand across its global network, while its partnership with flydubai continues to strengthen air connectivity to Nepal and other emerging destinations. The airline carried more than 8.6 million passengers during July and August, with its overall capacity reaching around 93 percent of pre-disruption levels. Emirates also recorded a 7 percent year-on-year increase in passengers arriving in Dubai during the second half of August, reflecting continued growth in international travel.
Demand for the upcoming winter season is particularly encouraging in markets including South Africa, Brazil, India, Portugal, Egypt, Ghana, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Nepal is also seeing positive momentum through the Emirates-flydubai partnership, which has expanded travel options between Nepal, Dubai and a wider range of international destinations.
Fleet Growth and Enhanced Passenger Experience
Emirates continues to invest heavily in its fleet and onboard products as it prepares for increased winter travel. Since January, the airline has introduced 18 additional aircraft, including 11 Airbus A350s and seven Boeing 777 freighters. Six more A350 aircraft are expected to join the fleet by the end of the year. The airline has also completed cabin upgrades on 104 aircraft, including 53 Boeing 777s and 51 A380s. Its latest cabin products are now available across 137 aircraft, with the number expected to rise to 155 by the end of 2026.
Premium Economy continues to attract growing demand, particularly on routes serving the Americas. The product is now available to 90 destinations, with six more locations, including Paris, Delhi and Stockholm, scheduled to receive the service before the end of the year. Emirates is also expanding onboard technology and passenger amenities. Around 50 aircraft have already been equipped with Starlink connectivity, while the airline is introducing updated cabin features and next-generation lounges at selected airports.
Emirates Expands Global Network for Winter Travel
The airline is increasing frequencies and deploying newer aircraft on several international routes. Helsinki is scheduled to receive Airbus A350 service from October 1, taking the number of destinations served by the A350 to 30, with plans to reach 36 by year-end. Additional services are also being introduced or increased in several markets. Accra will receive three additional weekly flights, while Tokyo Narita, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are gaining additional capacity. One daily Delhi service is also being upgraded to an A380 operation.
The A350 is scheduled to operate to destinations including Larnaca, Malta, Nairobi and Hamburg from late October, followed by Mauritius in November. Retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft will also begin serving Stockholm in October and Frankfurt in November. Emirates is further strengthening its African network, with A350 operations planned for Uganda and South Africa and an upcoming A380 service to Paris. Through 168 codeshare, interline and intermodal partnerships, Emirates customers can access around 1,750 additional cities worldwide. More than 13,000 Emirates passengers connect to partner services every day, further expanding the airline’s international reach.
Nepal Gains from Emirates-Flydubai Partnership
The Emirates-flydubai partnership continues to provide travelers with wider access to destinations through Dubai. The combined network now covers more than 214 unique destinations across more than 100 countries, with over 4,600 connection opportunities available through Dubai. Emirates passengers can connect to more than 100 destinations served by flydubai, while flydubai travelers can access more than 140 destinations on the Emirates network. Kathmandu is among the popular flydubai destinations within the partnership, alongside locations such as Zanzibar, Krabi and Belgrade.
Since the partnership began in 2017, more than 28 million passengers have traveled through the combined network. Flydubai has also continued expanding its route map in 2026, adding Chittagong in April, Benghazi in June, and Aleppo and Bangkok Don Mueang in July. Pokhara was added to the network in September, creating another important international connectivity option for Nepal. The continued expansion of Emirates and flydubai services is expected to support international travel to and from Nepal while providing travelers with greater choice and easier connections through Dubai.
