Travelbiz E-Zine
5
May
2026

Emirates confirms near-full return to operations

Emirates confirms 96% of global network restored.

Emirates has confirmed a near-full return to operations, with 96% of its global network now restored, following a period of disruption. In the past weeks, the airline has progressively resumed services across Europe, Africa, West Asia, the Middle East/GCC, the Far East, Americas and Australasia.

Emirates currently operates two daily flights between Dublin and Dubai and onwards to multiple cities and countries including Sydney, Melbourne, Vietnam, Cambodia, South Africa, Japan, China and Thailand, ensuring reliable and consistent connectivity for customers traveling via Dubai.

Today, the airline operates to 137 destinations across 72 countries, with over 1,300 weekly frequencies, representing 75% of pre-disruption capacity. The airline is offering more flights, more seats and more options each day while reaffirming Dubai’s position as a vital hub through which global travel moves.

Even as it operated with a reduced schedule, Emirates carried 4.7 million passengers* during the disruption, a testament to the enduring demand for travel and the trust that travellers continued to place in the airline to get them where they needed to go.

Enjoy flexible travel and rewards

Emirates is giving customers more reasons to travel with confidence with flexible rebooking, Dubai Connect stopover experiences and enhanced Skywards benefits:

  • Flexible bookings: Customers booked from 2 April will enjoy added flexibility, with one free date change included across all cabin classes. Customers who have booked with Emirates can also hold a fare for 24 hours free of charge.
  • Dubai Connect: For customers with extended transit times in Dubai from 6 to 26 hours, Emirates’ Dubai Connect programme turns a long layover into a comfortable stopover, courtesy of the airline. Eligible customers will enjoy complimentary hotel accommodation at a 4 or 5-star property, airport transfers, meals, and, where required, a UAE entry visa. Available to passengers across all cabin classes with qualifying connection times, Dubai Connect can be booked up to 12 hours ahead via Manage Your Booking on emirates.com. Terms and conditions apply.
  • Skywards: From 1 May to 31 August 2026, Emirates Skywards members can enjoy accelerated access to the programme’s premium tiers through reduced tier requirements and Bonus Tier Miles on Emirates and flydubai flights.
  • Emirates Retrofitted 777 Dublin

The Emirates experience, wherever you’re going

For those who need to stay connected, high-speed Wi-Fi keeps customers reachable at 40,000 feet. Emirates now has Starlink connectivity live on 28 aircraft, delivering ultra-fast, reliable internet in the air.

*Between 1 March and 30 April

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