DUBAI- Emirates Airline (EK) president Tim Clark reaffirmed the airline’s intention to launch passenger flights to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), a goal the Gulf carrier has pursued since the 1990s. Speaking to journalists at Berlin’s Hotel Adlon on Tuesday, Clark stated plainly that the airline would secure the route.
The planned link between the German capital and Dubai (DXB) will still not begin in June 2026. Emirates had earlier sought a workaround through a codeshare partnership with Condor (DE), while Eurowings (EW) also serves the Berlin to Dubai market, AeroTelegraph reported
Emirates Renews Its Push For Berlin Rights
Clark left no room for doubt about the airline’s ambition. He told reporters that Emirates would win the long battle for Berlin access, framing the matter as a decades-old objective that politicians have repeatedly acknowledged but never approved.
The carrier continues to send an Airbus A380 to the ILA Berlin Air Show on each occasion. Airbus has asked Emirates to stop showcasing the superjumbo because the type is no longer in production.
Clark keeps the practice in place and treats the appearance as a public signal to German decision makers that the operating permits must finally be issued.
Earlier this year, brief optimism emerged after several positive political signals. Emirates had also tried to reach Berlin indirectly through Condor. The leisure airline began operating between Berlin and Dubai in its 2024/25 winter schedule.
A Codeshare That Fell Short
The codeshare agreement tied to the Condor partnership faced delays, and both companies declined to explain the reasons.
German authorities approved the arrangement in April 2025, but only for a limited set of routes. The Berlin to Dubai connection was excluded from that approval.
Clark expressed reservations about the existing options. He noted that both Condor and Eurowings already serve the route, yet argued that neither carrier delivers the standard the city requires.
He said Berlin deserves a high-quality product across all cabins, citing demand for First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. He linked this demand to the many corporations and diplomatic missions based in the capital.
A Daily Boeing 777 For Berlin
Emirates is ready to deploy a four-class Boeing 777 to Berlin on a daily basis. Planned departures from the German capital would leave around 11:00 AM.
With a flight time of roughly six to seven hours, passengers would reach Dubai near 8:00 PM.
Clark confirmed the airline would only consider a daily operation. He said offering three to five weekly flights would not make economic sense for the carrier. He also clarified that slot availability at BER is not a barrier to launching the service.
Years Of Political Promises
Clark said he has held discussions with several German chancellors, transport ministers, and state secretaries over the years.
The political response was generally favorable, yet no concrete action followed.
He recalled that Angela Merkel reportedly promised the Emirates would gain access once the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport opened. BER opened in 2020, and the Gulf carrier still holds no operating permit for the route.
Emirates Points To Lufthansa
Clark identified Lufthansa (LH) as the source of the blockage. He claimed that German politicians would likely grant approval, but that Lufthansa shields itself from competition through its Star Alliance partners, naming Swiss (LX), Austrian (OS), Brussels Airlines (SN), and ITA (AZ).
He directed a pointed question at the German government, asking what purpose is served by keeping the Emirates out. Despite the resistance, Clark remained confident that the airline would eventually receive approval, even if the process took more time.
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