What happened
Germany and the UAE expanded their bilateral air pact on 10 September 2026, letting UAE carriers add a fifth German city after a four-airport cap. The change came during a state visit that also included a UAE pledge to invest €40 billion in Germany.
Emirates already serves four German airports and has been trying to add Berlin since at least 2004. Berlin's mayor welcomed the airline, and the fifth city is expected to be Berlin. That extra point is expected only if service at other German airports does not grow, and fifth-freedom flights from the new city are not expected. Qatar Airways already serves five German cities, Berlin among them. Emirates has not set a launch date or named an aircraft. Lufthansa said the deal moves jobs to the Gulf and will add pressure on domestic feeders into its hubs.
A future Emirates nonstop from Berlin would give points travellers a Dubai flight from Germany's largest city and more competition against Lufthansa's hub-feeder model. There is nothing to book until Emirates announces a Dubai–Berlin schedule.
- Announced
- Sep 10, 2026
- Numbers
- €40 billion: UAE investment pledged in Germany alongside the aviation deal
- 2004 year: earliest year cited for Emirates seeking Berlin
- 20 years: how long Emirates has sought Berlin rights
- Where
- Berlin (BER), Dubai
- Takeaway
- Nothing is bookable yet; watch for Emirates to announce Dubai–Berlin flights.