Emirates has confirmed it is ready to launch daily services to Berlin and Stuttgart, pending approval from the German Federal Ministry of Transport, with the airline committing over 100 million EUR annually in operational costs to support both routes.
The proposal targets a well-documented gap in long-haul connectivity for two of Germany's most economically significant cities. More than 85% of Berlin Brandenburg Airport's international traffic is concentrated within Europe, while Stuttgart, the industrial heart of Baden-Württemberg, remains similarly underserved for the long-haul routes its manufacturers and exporters depend on.
Emirates President Sir Tim Clark said the demand is clear and the flights are forecast to be full. He noted that the airline already connects Germany to 50 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australasia that no German carrier serves, and called on authorities to grant the airline the opportunity to operate.
Both cities currently have only seasonal, narrow-body connections to Dubai. The proposed daily Boeing 777-300ER service would offer a four-cabin configuration, over 280 tonnes of weekly belly-hold cargo capacity and a significant upgrade in passenger experience for travellers in both regions.
The economic case is substantial. A 2012 study by the German Aerospace Centre estimated that daily Emirates services to both cities would create close to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, a figure the airline says remains broadly consistent today.
Tourism stands to benefit as well. GCC visitors contributed an estimated 2.3 billion EUR to the German economy in 2024, with the German National Tourist Board projecting that figure to grow to 3 million annual visitors by the decade's end.
Emirates said it remains committed to working constructively with the German Federal Government to bring the routes to life.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
