Emirates ready to invest in daily flights to Berlin and Stuttgart | News
Emirates today confirmed that it is ready to launch daily flights to Berlin and Stuttgart, with more than €100 million committed annually to cover operational costs, staff, airport charges, fuel and other expenses, subject to approval by the German Federal Ministry of Transport.
Berlin is the political heart of Europe’s largest economy. It is a city of 3.9 million and home to a thriving startup ecosystem, an established diplomatic community and a cultural scene that attracts millions of visitors every year. Yet long-distance connectivity has not kept pace with the city’s strong global reputation. According to OAG timetable data, more than 85% of Berlin Brandenburg Airport’s international connectivity is concentrated within Europe.
Stuttgart faces a similar shortage in long-distance services. The economic engine of Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany’s most export-driven states, remains underutilized when it comes to long-haul flights, exactly the kind of connectivity that manufacturers, suppliers and trading partners depend on.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said: “Emirates is ready to bring daily widebody connectivity to Berlin and Stuttgart and connect them to our extensive network, backed by substantial investment. These are two of Germany’s most important economic centres, but both remain underserved when it comes to long-haul connectivity. German companies have told us they need it, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce has asked for it, our own data confirms the demand is there and flights are expected to be full. Emirates already connects Germany to 50 destinations across Germany, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australasia that no German airline serves. These are destinations that matter to German exporters, tour operators and the millions of travelers looking for more choice and better connections. All we ask for is the opportunity to serve these cities and their communities, and we remain committed to working constructively with the German authorities to make that happen and deliver tangible benefits from day one. activities will be felt in both city regions.”
Economic impact and job creation
New Emirates routes to both cities would create hundreds of new jobs. A 2012 study by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) estimated that a daily Emirates service to both Berlin and Stuttgart would create almost 1,000 direct and indirect jobs. That figure remains largely consistent today.
In addition to improved choice for passengers, local freight connectivity in Baden-Württemberg, Berlin and Brandenburg would also be boosted. A daily Emirates widebody service with a Boeing 777-300ER would provide more than 280 tonnes of freight capacity per week, creating a vital new channel for time-sensitive imports and exports, including pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, machinery and transport technology components.
Dubai: a gateway for additional connectivity
Of the 2.36 million passengers carried on Emirates flights to and from Germany in 2025, 40% flew between Dubai and Germany, while 60% were passengers on connecting flights, underscoring the dual role Dubai plays as both a premium destination, a growing source market and a global transfer hub. If daily flights to Berlin and Stuttgart were allowed, Emirates would provide convenient one-stop connections for German travelers and businesses in these cities and regions.
In 2025, Emirates’ main markets to and from Germany were Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. None of these destinations are served by German airlines from Frankfurt or Munich. Expanding this connectivity to Berlin and Stuttgart would not cannibalize existing routes, but rather fill a long-standing gap.
A one-stop connection on Emirates, via Dubai, would deliver a more seamless journey with a consistent product on board in a four-cabin configuration, and a meaningful improvement over the multi-transfer narrowbody alternatives currently available by German airlines. For Berlin, the Emirates experience would offer something for every traveler, including the award-winning Premium Economy cabin that offers a step up in comfort, and the First Class with enclosed private suites and personalized service remains unparalleled in the industry.
The Berlin business community has already clearly expressed the need for this service. In 2023, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry published a survey in which 75% of respondents described Berlin’s long-distance offering as inadequate or insufficient[1]. Dubai was named the number one priority for connections in urgent need of strengthening, both as a destination and as a transfer hub.
Today, Berlin and Stuttgart are only directly connected to Dubai via narrow-body aircraft with limited onboard amenities, and only on a seasonal basis. A daily Emirates Boeing 777 service would bring a major change, not only in terms of passenger experience and comfort, but also in terms of cargo capacity.
Opening up high-quality inbound tourism to Germany
Germany registered almost 1.2 million overnight stays[2] of GCC visitors in 2024, a valuable tourism segment that stays longer, spends more and has a direct and positive impact on tourism revenues. Visitors to the GCC alone contributed an estimated 2.3 billion euros to the German economy in 2024. The German National Tourist Board expects GCC visitor numbers to reach 3 million annually by the end of the decade.
Direct Emirates services would put Berlin and Stuttgart firmly on the map for GCC visitors, opening up a tourism segment with huge growth potential by connecting both cities to visitors who currently choose destinations served directly by widebody aircraft.
Looking ahead
The economic situation is clear. Daily Emirates services to Berlin and Stuttgart would create hundreds of jobs, strengthen trade links, open up underserved destinations and attract high-quality tourism.
Emirates believes these services would complement the existing German aviation ecosystem and provide travelers and businesses with more choice and competition on routes where it is needed most.
The airline remains committed to constructive cooperation with the German federal government and looks forward to the opportunity to bring the benefits of long-haul connections to Berlin and Stuttgart.
