Emirates today celebrates a significant milestone as it marks 20 years of operations in
Thiruvananthapuram, a key gateway in its South India network and an important hub for
travel, trade, and tourism.

Since commencing operations on 1 February 2006, Emirates has carried more than 4.6
million passengers on over 19,000 flights between Dubai and Thiruvananthapuram,
underlining its long-standing commitment to Kerala’s growing global aspirations and the
region’s strong demand for international connectivity.

The airline currently serves nine gateways across India, operating 167 weekly flights that
connect Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and
Thiruvananthapuram with Dubai and its extensive global network spanning 150 destinations
across six continents.

The milestone celebration was marked in the presence of the Honorable Chief Minister of
Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, reaffirming the strong partnership between Emirates, the state
government, and key stakeholders.

Commenting on the milestone, Mohammad Sarhan, Emirates’ VP – India and Nepal said,
“We are proud to have served Thiruvananthapuram for over 20 years. The city has been
instrumental in strengthening our presence in Kerala and Southern India. Over the past two
decades, our operations have supported the growth of local tourism and trade, while
connecting travellers from Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai and beyond on our global network.”

“On this occasion, we are pleased to be joined by the Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala to
mark the milestone, and I would like to thank the state authorities, airport partners, and the
Emirates team for their continued support in making our operations a success over the span
of two decades. We look forward to continued partnership and providing our services to the
people of Thiruvananthapuram and visitors and supporting local businesses and trade with
our cargo operations.”

Strengthening global connectivity

Over the past two decades, Emirates has played a vital role in enhancing
Thiruvananthapuram’s global reach, offering seamless connections to destinations across
six continents via its Dubai hub. The airline has supported outbound demand from business
travellers, leisure passengers, and the significant VFR (visiting friends and relatives)
segment, while also facilitating strong inbound traffic into Kerala.

Some of the most popular destinations and points of origin connecting from
Thiruvananthapuram include London, New York, Manama, San Francisco, Frankfurt, Manchester, Chicago, Toronto, Seattle and Houston. Top feeder markets for Thiruvananthapuram include travellers from similar points across Emirates’ network with the addition of Kuwait City.

Supporting trade and economic growth

Emirates SkyCargo has been instrumental in supporting Kerala’s export-driven economy by
connecting local producers, exporters, and businesses to global markets. Since 2019,
Emirates SkyCargo uplifted more than 34,000 tonnes of cargo from Thiruvananthapuram,
comprising key commodities such as seafood, vegetables and other perishable items.
Emirates SkyCargo’s specialised logistical solutions have enabled the transport of time-
sensitive and high-value shipments to reach international destinations efficiently, helping
businesses expand their reach to global markets through the airline’s expansive network.

A commitment to excellence

Emirates offers travellers from Thiruvananthapuram its signature Fly Better experience
across every cabin. First Class customers can unlimited caviar, and personalized fine dining
in complete privacy. Business Class passengers enjoy ergonomic leather seats, Bulgari
amenity kits, and a premium selection of gourmet meals and beverages. Customers
travelling in premium cabins can also enjoy a premium selection of curated wines and spirits.

Across all cabins, customers can savour regionally inspired cuisine including vegetarian and
vegan options*, experience the airline’s award‑winning service, and immerse themselves in
ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system featuring more than 6,500
channels, including movies, music, live sports, and much more, in regional languages
including Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada.

As Emirates celebrates 20 years of connecting Thiruvananthapuram to the world, the airline
reaffirms its long-term commitment to Kerala and its people. Emirates remains focused on
supporting tourism, enabling global trade, and strengthening economic and cultural ties for
the years ahead.