Douglas Mwiti 
- Kenya Airways (KQ Operates Special Repatriation Flights Between Nairobi and Dubai Reinforcing its Role as Kenya’s Strategic National Asset;
Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced special repatriation flights between Nairobi and Dubai on 4 and 5 March 2026, following the approval of limited operations at Dubai International Airport by the UAE authorities and Dubai Airport Management.
These special operations flights have been cleared for repatriation purposes onlyand are targeted at citizens or residents of Kenya and the UAE who urgentlyneedto return home, reconnect with their families,or resume critical economic and social activities.
These flights follow the recent airspace closure in the United Arab Emirates arisingfrom escalating tensions in the wider Middle East region.
By swiftly mountingtheseflights under constrained conditions, Kenya Airways is directly supportingtheGovernment of Kenya’s mandate to protect and assist its citizens abroad.
Working closely with the relevant Kenyan and UAE authorities, the national carrier isproviding a secure, coordinated air bridge that allows Kenyans and other eligibletravellers to move safely between the Nairobi and Dubai corridor while broader regional operations remain limited.
Commenting on the approval, Captain George Kamal, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director tor at Kenya Airways (KQ) noted, “Theserepatriation flights are a demonstration of Kenya Airways’ commitment toour country and to our customers.
When Kenyans need us most, our duty as thestrategicnational carrier is to step forward, work hand-in-hand with government andinternational authorities, and provide a safe, reliable bridge home intimes of uncertainty.”
“By maintaining connectivity across Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia, a key gateway for Kenyan exporters, workers, and investors, and by steppingupduringemergencies, with flexible airlift capacity, KQ continues to support tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people ties that are central to Kenya’s long-termgrowth and global standing,” Kamal further added.
Customers booked on the repatriation flights are being advised to regularlychecktheir flight status on kenya-airways.com and to update their contact details through the Manage Booking function so they can receive direct, real-time updates.
KQ’s Customer Excellence team continues to provide dedicated assistancethroughitscall centres, WhatsApp Channels and social media platforms to ensurethat customers receive clear guidance and support before travel.
The airline will continue to work with the Government of Kenya (GoK), regional regulatorsand international partners to monitor developments in the Middle East and toprogressively restore normal operations to Dubai and Sharjah once it is safeandauthorised to do so.
