Emirates commemorates four decades of operations in India and connects the nation to global opportunities. From its inaugural services to India on 25 October 1985, Emirates has evolved into 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 —and operates 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 sincerely appreciate the trust that Indian travelers have consistently placed in Emirates over the years. 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 travelers 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 travelers, 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, travelers 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 via 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. Over the past 40 years, popular movies and music in India’s nine regional languages, along with live sports events such as cricket and golf, have greatly enhanced the travel experiences of Indian travelers.

Supporting India’s Trade and Exports
Beyond passenger operations, Emirates SkyCargo has played a vital role in facilitating trade flows to and from India. Over the last five years, the carrier has transported around 700,000 tonnes of exports and imports between India and the rest of the world. Key commodities have included pharmaceuticals, perishables, and other cargo, helping businesses reach new markets efficiently and reliably.

Charting the Path Ahead
Emirates continues to invest in India by deploying its latest aircraft, enhancing cargo capabilities, and introducing product innovations. 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 travelers 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.

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