Emirates Airlines has denied the existence of plans for a new route connecting Dubai to Montego Bay with a stopover in Frankfurt. This denial has led to confusion and backlash, particularly following an announcement made by Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, who described the potential service as a significant milestone for the island’s tourism sector.

According to Travel And Tour World, minister Bartlett had recently stated that the service would mark the first time a Middle Eastern airline would provide direct access to Jamaica. He emphasized that this new route would be a major advancement for both tourism and trade for the island nation. However, on March 27, 2025, Vivianh Huynh, a senior account executive associated with Emirates, publicly refuted these claims, stating that there were no official plans for the proposed flights.

In light of the conflicting statements, Minister Bartlett suggested that Huynh may not have been fully informed about the discussions occurring within Emirates, indicating that only senior executives could provide definitive confirmation regarding new routes. This situation has also drawn criticism from the political opposition, with Senator Janice Allen, the People’s National Party spokesperson for tourism, calling for clearer communication regarding the status of the Emirates route.

Despite the uncertainty, Minister Bartlett reaffirmed that Emirates is investigating new network opportunities. He noted that any official announcements regarding the flights would be made directly by the airline when appropriate. Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism also mentioned that Emirates is anticipated to partner with the German airline Condor to offer the Dubai-Frankfurt-Montego Bay service, which is scheduled to begin on April 10, 2025, and continue until December 26, 2026, using a Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

The proposed flights are expected to operate weekly on Wednesdays, following the route from Dubai to Frankfurt and then to Montego Bay, with returns on the same path. Minister Bartlett defended the initiative, asserting that it could serve as a critical link for Jamaican exporters, agricultural producers, and entertainers, while also promoting multi-destination tourism across the regions. As of now, the absence of confirmation from Emirates’ official channels leaves the future of this route uncertain, although the Jamaican government continues to advocate for its potential benefits.