Germany has approved additional traffic rights for Emirates, clearing the Dubai carrier to launch services to Berlin as its fifth destination in the country. The agreement, reached during the UAE president’s state visit to Germany, allows up to seven flights a week and excludes fifth-freedom rights, limiting the operation to direct Germany-UAE services.
Emirates already serves Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf and Hamburg, and Berlin now joins that network as an authorised fifth point. The change follows years of negotiations and is expected to increase competitive pressure on Lufthansa in the German market.
The bilateral understanding updates the route structure between Germany and the UAE, but the operational start date has not been confirmed. Some industry commentary has pointed to a possible 2027 launch, although no official schedule has been set. The new rights would permit a daily Dubai-Berlin service once Emirates finalises its plans.