‘Extension of Aida Cruises collaboration by Emirates’

Emirates Airline and Aida Cruises have extended their partnership for another two seasons, solidifying Dubai’s position as a leading maritime tourism hub. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Airline, and Felix Eichhorn, President of AIDA Cruises.

The partnership will focus on joint marketing initiatives, operational alignment, and strategic planning around flight schedules to enhance transportation solutions between Dubai International Airport and Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal. Emirates will also allocate capacity for the next two seasons to meet the growing demand for cruise packages to Dubai.

Aida Cruises, a long-time supporter of Dubai, has been home porting in the city since 2006. The cruise ship AIDAprima has been operating at Dubai Harbour since 2021, accommodating up to 3,200 passengers.

Emirates has 12 check-in counters at Dubai Harbour, allowing passengers from cruise ships to check-in up to 4 hours before their flight departure. This convenience enables passengers to explore Dubai without their luggage before heading to the airport, streamlining their travel experience.

In the previous year, Emirates transported approximately 400,000 cruise passengers through Dubai’s terminals. With over 166 ships visiting during the last cruise season, Dubai emerged as the region’s primary port of embarkation and a popular destination for cruise liners. The city anticipates a 23% increase in cruise passengers for the upcoming season.