Emirates has marked 40 years of operations in Egypt, reporting that it has carried 13.2 million passengers on nearly 50,000 flights between Dubai and Cairo since launching the route in 1986.

The airline commemorated the milestone with a gala dinner at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo on October 25, attended by Egyptian government and aviation officials, UAE embassy representatives, industry partners, and Emirates executives.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said Egypt had played an important role in the airline’s development and that its relationship with the country had grown over four decades.

“We are proud of the role Emirates has played in connecting Egypt with the UAE and global markets and in supporting inbound travel, tourism, and trade,” Kazim said, adding that projects such as the Grand Egyptian Museum offered opportunities to support further travel growth.

Emirates began flying to Cairo in April 1986 with three weekly services, making Egypt the first market in the Middle East and Africa region to join its network, according to the airline.

It now operates five daily flights between Dubai and Cairo using Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Through its Dubai hub, the airline connects travelers from Egypt to nearly 140 destinations across six continents.

The airline also reported that its cargo division, Emirates SkyCargo, transported more than 170,000 tonnes of exports and imports between Cairo and international markets over the past five years, using the cargo capacity of its passenger flights.

Egyptian products carried include fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, and other perishable goods, while imports include electronics, pharmaceuticals, and general cargo.

Emirates said it continued to invest in its customer services in Egypt. Its lounge at Cairo International Airport opened in 2018, while its Emirates World store opened in January 2025, providing travel advice and booking services.

The airline’s anniversary event also recognised Egyptian travel agency partners for their support in the local market.

Source: PR