- Over 40 years, Emirates flights have carried over 24 million passengers between Dubai and Mumbai and 15 million passengers between Dubai and Delhi
- Total of 92 million passengers carried across nine gateways served by the airline over four decades
- Emirates SkyCargo has played a vital role in facilitating India’s trade flows, with the movement of 700,000 tonnes of exports and imports since 2020
INDIA: Emirates commemorates four decades of operations in India and connecting the nation to global opportunities. From its inaugural services to India on 25 October 1985, Emirates has evolved to become one of the country’s most prominent international carriers, offering seamless connectivity via Dubai, award‑winning hospitality, and enduring commercial ties.
Over a span of 40 years, Emirates has carried over 24 million passengers between Dubai (DXB) and Mumbai (BOM) on more than 95,000 flights in both directions, and more than 15 million passengers between Dubai (DXB) and Delhi (DEL) on 60,000 flights, reflecting a shared story of mobility and progress.
Today, Emirates serves nine gateways across India – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram operating 167 weekly flights to Dubai and onward to its global network. Across four decades of service, each flight has been a catalyst, connecting people, enabling commerce, and driving progress and prosperity.
Marking the occasion, Mohammad Sarhan, Vice President – India & Nepal, Emirates, said: “It is an incredible milestone to complete 40 years of serving India, a market that has been a cornerstone of our global operations. We are humbled by the continued trust that Indian travellers have placed in Emirates over the decades. From the very beginning, we have promised to deliver world‑class service, seamless connectivity, and a superior flying experience. As we look to the future, we remain committed to delivering on this promise to our customers by continuously innovating to maintain our position as the airline of choice for millions of travellers while also deepening our relationship with India.
India has always been an integral part of the Emirates’ journey and success. Over the past four decades, our partnership with India has grown from strength to strength, built on mutual trust, respect, and a shared vision of connecting people and opportunities across the world. We are proud of the role we have played in supporting India’s connectivity, trade, tourism, and economic growth, linking cities like Mumbai and Delhi through Dubai to global destinations across North America, Europe, and beyond.”
Strengthening Global Connectivity
For generations of Indian travellers, Dubai has been a gateway to discovering the world. From Mumbai, popular onward connections over the past year included New York, San Francisco, Houston, Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington D.C., Toronto, Seattle, Manchester, London Heathrow, and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Inbound flows into Mumbai via Dubai prominently originated in New York, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas–Fort Worth, Boston, Seattle, Washington D.C., Toronto, Manchester, London Heathrow, and Johannesburg.
From Delhi, travellers connected to Seattle, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington D.C., Montreal, Manchester, Boston, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Houston. Inbound to Delhi over Dubai included Seattle, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Montreal, London Heathrow, Washington D.C., Manchester, Dallas Fort Worth, and Boston.
Emirates’ “Fly Better” promise means understanding what Indian travelers value and delivering it through culturally relevant services, regionally inspired cuisine, and personalised experiences throughout the journey. This also includes popular movies and music content in nine regional languages specific to India, and live sports tournaments such as cricket, golf, and more have all enriched the travel experiences of Indian travellers over the past 40 years.
Supporting India’s Trade and Exports
Beyond passenger operations, Emirates SkyCargo has played a vital role in facilitating India’s trade flows. Over the last five years, the carrier has transported around 700,000 tonnes of exports and imports between India and the world. Key commodities have included pharmaceuticals, perishables, and other cargo, supporting businesses in reaching new markets efficiently and reliably.
Charting the Path Ahead
Emirates continues to invest in India by deploying its latest aircraft, enhanced cargo capabilities, and product innovation. Milestones such as the introduction of its flagship A380 aircraft to Mumbai in 2014 and to Bengaluru in 2022, the rollout of Premium Economy to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata on a mix of aircraft in its fleet and the deployment of the latest A350 aircraft on Republic Day this year in Ahmedabad and Mumbai underscore a long‑term commitment to India’s travellers and trade. With one of the youngest wide‑body fleets and a network spanning six continents, Emirates aims to remain a vital partner of India and enabler of connecting people, cultures, and opportunities for decades to come.