Emirates Expands Dubai-Cairo Operations, Making Cairo Its Most Served African City
Emirates is set to significantly enhance its presence in North Africa with the deployment of six additional weekly frequencies on the Dubai-Cairo route starting 1st December 2025. This expansion is designed to meet the surge in demand during the peak winter travel season, offering more options for both leisure and corporate travelers connecting between Egypt and the UAE, as well as onward to Asia and beyond. From 1st February 2026, these extra flights will scale up to a fifth daily service, with revised timings that complement the existing schedule of four daily flights, further reinforcing Emirates’ confidence in the Egyptian market and its commitment to providing seamless connectivity.
This strategic move positions Cairo as the most served city in Emirates’ African network, a milestone that underscores the airline’s long-standing relationship with Egypt. The new service will be operated with a Boeing 777, optimized for connections to key Asian destinations such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. The schedule is tailored to facilitate smooth transfers for travelers heading to and from these high-demand markets, making Emirates an even more attractive option for African travelers seeking global reach.
Egypt has always been a priority for Emirates, being one of the earliest destinations on its global network. Cairo already enjoys the highest deployment of the iconic Emirates A380s in the Middle East and North Africa outside of Dubai. With the introduction of the fifth daily frequency, Emirates is not only responding to robust demand but also setting a new benchmark for connectivity between Africa and the Gulf region. The additional frequencies are expected to deliver substantial benefits for both passenger and cargo segments. Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s freight division, will offer an extra 300 tonn.
es of weekly cargo capacity via the belly of the Boeing 777. This will support the export of key Egyptian commodities, including fresh produce such as strawberries and other fruits and vegetables, connecting Egyptian businesses with global markets quickly and efficiently. The move is set to further stimulate Egypt’s economy by enhancing trade links and providing reliable logistics solutions for exporters.
Beyond the commercial advantages, the expansion reflects the strong bilateral relations between Egypt and the UAE. The two countries have a history of collaboration across tourism, industry, and commerce, with numerous joint developments in Cairo, the northern coast, and other regions. The increased air connectivity will not only facilitate business and leisure travel but also deepen economic ties and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Since its inaugural flight to Cairo in 1986, Emirates has steadily scaled up its operations, serving over 10 million passengers to and from Egypt. The airline has played a pivotal role in attracting inbound traffic from key Asian markets such as China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan, and Australia, making Egypt a central hub for travelers moving between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The latest expansion is a testament to Emirates’ ongoing investment in the region and its vision for Africa as a growth market for aviation and tourism.
For Africa’s travel sector, Emirates’ decision to boost its Cairo operations offers new opportunities for collaboration, itinerary development, and value-added services. The increased frequencies and optimized schedules will enable African travel professionals to offer clients more flexible connections, competitive fares, and access to a wider range of destinations. The move also highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and network planning in meeting the evolving needs of both leisure and corporate travelers across the continent.
As Emirates approaches its 40th year of service to Egypt, the airline’s latest expansion is a clear signal of its confidence in the market and its commitment to supporting the growth of African aviation. With Cairo now set to become the most served city in Emirates’ African network, the stage is set for even greater connectivity, economic opportunity, and travel innovation in the years ahead.
