Emirates to offer special fares, extra baggage for Dubai college students with new deal

Dubai-based airline Emirates and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) have signed an agreement to support Dubai’s ambition of becoming a leading global destination for higher education, international students and lifelong learning.

Special Travel Benefits for Students

Under the agreement, Emirates will develop dedicated travel programmes offering a range of benefits to students enrolled at KHDA-regulated private higher education institutions.

The student proposition will include:

• Specially tailored airfares

• Additional baggage allowances

• Greater flexibility when booking travel

• Travel options to and from Dubai and across the Emirates network

Faculty members and teaching staff will also have access to travel benefits through the Emirates Academic Programme.

The airline will provide dedicated travel support for students participating in the Hamdan bin Mohammed Scholarship Programme.

Supporting Dubai’s Education 33 Strategy

The partnership supports the objectives of Dubai’s Education 33 (E33) strategy, which aims to strengthen the emirate’s position as an international education hub.

The agreement is designed to improve student accessibility, strengthen international connectivity and promote the City of Students game changer and Study Dubai programme across key international markets.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of Arabian Travel Market 2026 by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Dr Wafi Dawood, CEO of Strategic Development Sector at KHDA.

Emirates to Support International Student Recruitment

As part of the partnership, Emirates will participate in Study Dubai student recruitment missions and international activation events alongside KHDA, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and TECOM Group.

These initiatives will promote Dubai as a study destination in key markets served by the Emirates network.

The airline and KHDA will also exchange insights on international student travel patterns and coordinate joint marketing initiatives aimed at strengthening Dubai’s profile as a higher education destination.

Dubai Targets More International Students

Education is a key priority under Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 and is being advanced through the Education 33 strategy.

Under the City of Students initiative, E33 aims to increase the share of international students enrolled in Dubai’s higher education institutions to 50 per cent by 2033.

The strategy also targets placing Dubai among the world’s top 10 student cities and increasing education tourism tenfold.

Emirates Signs Partnership with ICEF

Emirates has also signed a separate MoU with the International Consultants for Exhibitions and Fairs (ICEF), becoming its preferred airline for education-related travel.

ICEF operates across more than 100 countries, connecting accredited education agencies with educational institutions through events, training programmes and market intelligence platforms, including ICEF Monitor.

Dedicated Travel Solutions for ICEF Members

Under the partnership, Emirates and ICEF will work together to develop dedicated travel propositions for ICEF-accredited agencies and their student customers travelling across the airline’s global network.

The two organisations will also explore booking support and account management services for ICEF member organisations.

Global Education Marketing Campaigns

The partnership includes plans for co-branded campaigns targeting international students and education professionals.

Emirates will also have a presence at major ICEF events in Berlin, Dubai and the United States, helping strengthen its engagement with the international education sector.

The agreement further covers training and market intelligence. Emirates will participate in ICEF Academy programmes for education agents, share insights on student travel and destination trends, and contribute to ICEF conferences through speaking and industry partnership opportunities.