Germany and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to let a UAE carrier serve a fifth German destination, opening the door for Emirates to begin Berlin flights alongside its existing Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf and Hamburg services. The decision, disclosed in Berlin on 10 September during the UAE president’s state visit, limits the new route to seven flights a week and blocks fifth-freedom operations beyond Germany.
The arrangement resolves a long-running dispute over access to the German market and expands Emirates’ footprint in Europe’s largest economy. Berlin officials welcomed the move as creating the conditions for regular service at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, while Emirates has not yet published a launch date. The airport would become the airline’s fifth German gateway if the service starts as expected.
The change also sharpens competitive pressure on Lufthansa, which criticised the agreement. For Germany, the deal may redirect more long-haul traffic through Dubai and add capacity on the Germany-UAE corridor, strengthening links for business and leisure travel while keeping the broader bilateral framework tightly controlled.