In a significant move to boost its presence in the medical tourism sector, Emirates Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Medical Tourism Association during the Arab Travel Market 2026. This agreement reflects the airline’s commitment to broaden its operations beyond traditional travel for tourism and business, forging long-term institutional partnerships with key players in the healthcare and medical travel ecosystem.
A Strategic Partnership for Healthcare Travel
Emirates Airlines will collaborate with the Medical Tourism Association as the preferred airline for international travellers seeking medical care and wellness services. By leveraging its extensive global network and the position of Dubai as a leading centre for healthcare and medical tourism, the airline aims to identify key markets and medical travel corridors, particularly in regions like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The partnership will develop tailored travel solutions and a more integrated experience for patients, healthcare professionals, insurance companies, and employers.
Focusing on Healthcare and Wellness
According to Emirates, the partnership with the Medical Tourism Association, one of the foremost non-profit organisations globally dedicated to the medical tourism sector, aims to establish an organised approach to addressing travel for healthcare and wellness. This strategic initiative will serve a newly identified demographic of the airline’s customers.
The Reach of the Medical Tourism Association
The Medical Tourism Association boasts a network of over 500,000 specialised members and direct affiliations with governmental entities in more than 100 countries. The association also features the “Better by MTA” platform, supported by Mastercard, which integrates healthcare bookings with travel-related payment solutions.
Executive Insights
Adnan Kazim, Vice President and CEO of Commercial Operations at Emirates Airlines, commented on the growing potential of healthcare travel, stating, “Health and wellness travel represents one of the promising and burgeoning sectors in international travel. Our partnership with the Medical Tourism Association opens up a strategic avenue for us to reach this clientele and develop offers that better suit their needs, backed by the strength of our global network and the quality of our products and services both on the ground and in the air.”
Jonathan Edelheit, CEO and Founder of the Medical Tourism Association, added, “We are working to create a more integrated pathway that connects global demand for healthcare with a world-class airline and certified service providers through the Better by MTA platform.”