Emirates Wins Approval for Direct Berlin Flights After 22-Year Push

Emirates has finally won approval to operate direct flights between Dubai and Berlin, closing out a lobbying battle that lasted more than two decades. The German government confirmed the decision on September 10, 2026, opening a route the Dubai-based carrier has chased since 2003.

What the Deal Actually Allows

Under the revised bilateral arrangement, UAE carriers gained the right to serve a fifth German destination, joining the four cities Emirates already flies to: Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, and Düsseldorf. The new access is capped at a maximum of seven weekly flights, with no fifth-freedom flying rights included. Germany's Ministry of Transport approved the additional traffic rights, allowing Emirates to add Berlin without giving up any of its existing German destinations.

Bloomberg reported that Emirates has specifically been cleared for the Dubai-Berlin route, and Berlin's city government said the agreement allows the carrier to offer daily long-haul flights from Berlin Brandenburg Airport. Service could begin as early as December 2027, according to multiple reports, though Emirates has not confirmed an exact launch date. The airline is expected to use Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route.

Part of a Broader Push

Berlin was not pursued in isolation. In a formal proposal announced June 9, 2026, Emirates sought approval for daily widebody service to both Berlin and Stuttgart, committing to spend more than €100 million annually across the two routes in operational expenses, staffing, airport charges, and fuel. At the time, Emirates President Sir Tim Clark said the demand case was clear: 

German businesses have told us they need it, the Berlin Chamber of Commerce has called for it, our own data confirms the demand is there and flights are forecast to be full.

Emirates cited OAG schedule data showing more than 85% of Berlin Airport's international connectivity is concentrated within Europe, arguing that both Berlin and Stuttgart lacked meaningful long-haul options and were served only seasonally and with narrowbody aircraft. Emirates has estimated that a daily Berlin service would create around 500 jobs and attract roughly 140,000 annual passengers.

Why It Took So Long

Germany and the United Arab Emirates operate under a bilateral air services agreement that caps the number of destinations and frequencies Emirates can serve. For more than two decades, Berlin sat outside those permitted cities, even as Emirates repeatedly lobbied for access.

Lufthansa has consistently opposed expanded access for Gulf carriers, arguing that state-backed airlines from the region enjoy unfair competitive advantages. Emirates has rejected those claims, pointing to its Frankfurt and Munich services as evidence that its flights feed passengers into the German economy and support tourism.

Lufthansa's Reaction

Unlike in past years, this isn't simply a story of historical opposition – Lufthansa is actively protesting the decision as it stands today. Aviation Week reported "vehement protests" from both groups following the announcement, and Lufthansa has pushed back forcefully against what it characterizes as an unfair shift in Germany's aviation policy.

What Comes Next

Reports point to a possible start as early as December 2027. The airline is expected to deploy Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, with frequency likely building toward the maximum seven weekly flights permitted under the new arrangement as the route matures. Berlin Brandenburg Airport, which opened in 2020 after years of delays, has struggled to attract long-haul carriers, and Emirates' arrival is expected to give the airport a meaningful boost in intercontinental connections, particularly to destinations across Asia and the southern hemisphere.

For passengers, the practical impact will not arrive until Emirates confirms a launch date and opens bookings. The decision marks one of the most significant shifts in Germany's aviation policy in years, ending a lobbying campaign that lasted decades  – even as Lufthansa continues to fight the outcome publicly.