Emirates is ready to launch daily flights to Berlin and Stuttgart and spend more than €100 million a year on operations if German authorities approve the services as reported by Gulf News.
The Dubai airline said the proposed routes would add long-haul capacity to two major German city regions that remain underserved by direct international services. The plan is subject to approval from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport.
Berlin, Germany’s political centre, has a population of 3.9 million and a large diplomatic, start-up and tourism base. Emirates said more than 85% of Berlin Brandenburg Airport’s international connectivity is within Europe, based on OAG schedule data.
Stuttgart is the economic centre of Baden-Württemberg, one of Germany’s strongest export-driven states, but also lacks the long-haul links needed by manufacturers, suppliers and trading partners.
Emirates is confident that flights will be full
“Emirates is ready to bring daily widebody connectivity to Berlin and Stuttgart and connect them with our extensive network, backed by substantial investment,” said Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline. “These are two of Germany’s most important economic centres, yet both remain underserved when it comes to long-haul connectivity.
“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,” he said.
The airline said daily services would connect Berlin and Stuttgart through Dubai to 50 destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Australasia that are not served by German airlines.
In 2025, Emirates carried 2.36 million passengers to and from Germany. Around 40% flew between Dubai and Germany, while 60% connected onward through Dubai. Its top Germany-linked markets included Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Tourism demand
Emirates said the flights would also support inbound tourism from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Germany recorded nearly 1.2 million overnight stays from GCC visitors in 2024, with the segment contributing an estimated €2.3 billion to the German economy. The German National Tourist Board expects GCC visitor numbers to reach 3 million annually by the end of the decade.
Direct Emirates flights would put Berlin and Stuttgart in front of more GCC travellers, many of whom currently choose destinations with direct widebody access.
Regulatory hurdle
Simple Flying had reported in February before the start of the Iran war that Emirates had obtained take-off and landing slots at Berlin Brandeburg Airport ahead of a new route which was slated to launch in December 2026. However, the move represents something of a gamble, with Emirates yet to receive the necessary approval from Germany to open up service to a new German airport..
A major regulatory hurdle must be overcome if Emirates wants to realize its longstanding ambition of serving Berlin. Under an existing bilateral agreement with German authorities, Emirates is permitted to serve a maximum of four German airports. All of these are currently filled, with Emirates operating flights to Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich.
