Emirates has celebrated 40 years of operations in Egypt, having carried 13.2 million passengers on nearly 50,000 flights between Dubai and Cairo in both directions since April 1986. The airline currently operates 35 weekly flights between the cities using Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
Thirty-five weekly flights between Dubai and Cairo
Emirates began flying to Cairo in April 1986, less than a year after its establishment, with three weekly flights. Egypt became the first country in the Middle East and Africa to join its destination network, according to an announcement on the airline’s website.
Over the past four decades, Emirates has expanded its Egyptian operations to 35 weekly flights between Dubai and Cairo, operated by Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said Egypt was among the airline’s earliest destinations following its launch, highlighting the development of its business in the Egyptian market over 40 years.
He added that Emirates aimed to continue enhancing services and strengthening connections between Egypt, Dubai and global markets to support travel, tourism and trade.
Leading destinations from Cairo via Dubai
Emirates provides travellers from Cairo with access to international destinations through its Dubai hub. Leading destinations for passengers from Egypt include Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Seoul, Osaka and Hong Kong.
In the opposite direction, major markets for travellers arriving in Cairo through the airline’s network include Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Seoul, Osaka and Shanghai.
The airline’s international connections support Egypt’s tourism development plans and its target of welcoming 30 million tourists annually by 2028.
Emirates services at Cairo Airport
Emirates opened its dedicated lounge at Cairo International Airport in 2018 as part of its services for customers departing from Egypt.
In January 2025, the airline also opened an Emirates World store in Cairo, offering booking and travel advice and introducing customers to products and services available on its flights.
Emirates continues to develop its services in Egypt through aircraft cabin upgrades and network expansion, providing more options for passengers travelling between Cairo, Dubai and international destinations.
The airline held an official celebration at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Attendees included Yomna El-Bahar, Egypt’s Deputy Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Sameh Fawzy, head of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority; Magdy Ishak, chairman and managing director of Cairo Airport Company; and other officials and aviation and tourism representatives.
Also attending were Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer; Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Centre region; Khalid Bel Jaflah, Vice President of Commercial Operations for the Middle East and North Africa; and Abdulla Al Zamani, Emirates’ country manager in Egypt.
