Over four decades, Emirates has flown more than 24 million passengers between Dubai and Mumbai across 95,000 flights, and 15 million passengers between Dubai and Delhi on 60,000 flights.
As Emirates marks its 40th anniversary of operations in India, the Dubai‑based airline has reaffirmed its commitment to remain the first choice for millions of Indian travellers. Over four decades, it has carried more than 24 million passengers between Dubai and Mumbai on over 95,000 flights, and over 15 million passengers between Dubai and Delhi on 60,000 flights.
Today, the airline serves nine gateways across India, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram, operating 167 weekly flights to Dubai and onward to its global network. Each flight has been a catalyst, connecting people, enabling commerce, and driving prosperity.
Marking the occasion, Mohammad Sarhan, Vice President for India & Nepal, Emirates, said, “From the very beginning, our promise has been 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 by continuously innovating to maintain our position as the airline of choice for millions of travellers while also deepening our relationship with India.”
He added, “India has always been an integral part of 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 destinations across North America, Europe, and beyond.”
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 DC, 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 DC, Toronto, Manchester, London Heathrow, and Johannesburg.
From Delhi, travellers connected to Seattle, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, Montreal, Manchester, Boston, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Houston. Inbound to Delhi via Dubai included Seattle, Toronto, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Montreal, London Heathrow, Washington D.C., Manchester, Dallas‑Fort Worth, and Boston.
Personalising Indian Journeys
Emirates’ ‘Fly Better’ promise means understanding what Indian travellers value and delivering it through culturally relevant services, regionally inspired cuisine, and personalised experiences. This includes movies and music content in nine regional languages, alongside live sports such as cricket and golf, enriching travel experiences for Indian passengers over the past 40 years.
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 include pharmaceuticals, perishables, and other cargo, supporting businesses in reaching new markets efficiently and reliably.
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 Bengaluru in 2022, the rollout of Premium Economy to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, and the deployment of the latest A350 aircraft on Republic Day this year in Ahmedabad and Mumbai highlight 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.