Emirates has opened its first Emirates World store in Africa, in Kenya’s capital city Nairobi. This opening introduces the airline’s refreshed retail store concept to Africa for the first time, with more stores planned across the market in the coming months, the airline said in a statement.
The Emirates World store was inaugurated by Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Center, in the presence of His Excellency, Dr Salim Alnaqbi, UAE Ambassador to Kenya. The opening ceremony was attended by other distinguished guests as well as trade and media partners.
It follows recent openings in Hong Kong and London, which is the first Emirates World store in Europe.
Customer Experience
The Emirates World store in Nairobi provides customers with a unique and immersive experience that showcases the airline’s commitment to providing a seamless and luxurious travel experience. The store features a range of interactive displays and technologies that bring the airline’s signature product closer to travellers. Customers can explore the iconic Emirates A380 Onboard Lounge experience with an immersive, full-size showcase or explore the smart technology experiences such as the ‘selfie mirror’ which snaps pictures of travellers against scenic destination backdrops.
Expert Travel Advice
The store has six customer service counters staffed by expert consultants who are available to assist customers with their travel needs. These consultants can help customers with booking flights, making reservations, and planning their itineraries. They can also offer insights into Emirates Holidays, the airline’s tour operating arm, which provides customers with bespoke packages to unlock the finest travel experiences.
Self-Service Technology
The store also features kiosks that empower travellers with a self-service touchpoint, while minimising wait time and offering a faster service. These kiosks allow customers to check in for their flights, manage their bookings, and access other self-service features.
Emirates' Long-Standing Presence in Kenya
Emirates is fast approaching an important milestone in Nairobi: it’s 30th anniversary. Since the first flight in October 1995, Emirates has flown over five million passengers to and from Kenya on double daily flights from Dubai.
Strengthening Partnerships in Africa
In 2023, Emirates established an interline partnership with Kenya Airways, providing seamless connectivity to an additional 28 points in Africa through Nairobi, including Mombasa, Kigali, Bangui, Nampula, Kilimanjaro and more. In the last year, over 12,000 passengers have taken advantage of the agreement, exploring more with frictionless travel.
Expanding Footprint Across Africa
More stores are planned in the coming months, said Emirates. The airline is committed to expanding its presence in Africa and providing customers with a premium travel experience. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We are pleased to bring our reimagined retail store concept to Africa for the first time, elevating our customer experience in Kenya, and then in more destinations across the continent in the coming months.” The retail space at the store is over 330 m2 and is designed as an open-plan, lounge-like environment.
A Glimpse into the Future of Travel
The opening of the Emirates World store in Nairobi is a testament to the airline’s commitment to providing customers with a premium and memorable travel experience. The store is a glimpse into the future of travel, where technology and personalized service come together to create a seamless and enjoyable journey for travellers. As Emirates continues to expand its footprint in Africa, the airline is well-positioned to become a leading provider of air travel services on the continent.
Beyond Nairobi: A Pan-African Expansion
The success of the Nairobi store is expected to be the catalyst for expansion of the Emirates World store concept across the African continent. This expansion is poised to bring the same high-quality customer experience to more travelers across the continent.
