New daily flight revealed: Emirates to launch operations to one more Chinese city

Dubai: Emirates is boosting its operations in China by launching daily flights to the Eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou. Dubai’s flagship carrier announced Tuesday that it will launch a daily non-stop service between Dubai and Hangzhou starting July 30, subject to government approval. The airline’s latest expansion into Hangzhou makes the city its fifth gateway into the Chinese mainland after Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

The new flights are timed to connect travellers to 38 destinations in Europe, 22 in Africa, 11 in the Middle East, Brazil, and Argentina, offering convenient two-way connections to key cities including ​Istanbul, Barcelona, Cairo and Johannesburg.

Industry experts have long maintained that Chinese outbound travel has yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels fully. However, Emirates and other regional carriers have been keen to expand their operations in the Chinese market these past few years.

Earlier this year, the carrier announced flights to Shenzen, making Emirates the first Middle East carrier to operate to this destination.

Emirates SkyCargo reported strong demand for their China operations, transporting approximately 2,000 tons of cargo weekly from mainland China. The airline has said it operates at full capacity across all routes with strong cargo demand on freighter and passenger flights.

From July 30, Emirates will operate 49 weekly flights to the Chinese mainland, including double daily services to Beijing and Shanghai, daily flights to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, and the new daily service to Hangzhou.

In an earlier interview with Gulf News, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said travel demand to China has not seen a noticeable dip despite the ongoing trade war with the US.

Global hub for innovation

Kazim said, “Launching a new Dubai-Hangzhou route marks a pivotal moment in our operations in the Chinese mainland and broader East Asia region.”

“As an emerging global hub for innovation, e-commerce and advanced manufacturing, Hangzhou will open doors to new opportunities for our passenger and cargo operations, further strengthening the vital economic and technological exchanges between the Middle East and China.”

He added, "The fifth gateway in our Chinese mainland network will not only enhance connectivity for travellers but also offer businesses efficient access to and from key East Asian markets.”

“This expansion is part of our global growth strategy and positions Emirates as the preferred airline when linking the world to the Chinese mainland’s thriving economic corridors and beyond.”

The capital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, is rapidly growing to become a global hub for innovation, e-commerce, and technological advancements. Home to Alibaba Group, the city is a driving force in China’s digital economy, with cross-border e-commerce exports projected to exceed Dh70 billion (140 billion Chinese yuan) by 2026.

UAE-China relations

The airline’s expansion into mainland China highlights the growing UAE-China relations and Emirates’ support for the Belt and Road Initiative, the airline said. Positioned as a crucial link through Dubai, Emirates connects tech professionals and investors from Africa, the Middle East, and South America to Hangzhou, a hub of technology and innovation.

Emirates SkyCargo plans to leverage the new Hangzhou route to enhance its cargo footprint across East Asia, meeting rising demand for reliable air freight solutions.

The service will also reduce transit times, enabling faster, more efficient movement of high-value and time-sensitive goods, including electronics, e-commerce products, pharmaceuticals, and perishables, between the Chinese market and key regions, including Africa, Latin America, and the GCC.