Shanghai joins list of Emirates destinations

The inaugural non-stop Emirates flight, EK203, from Dubai to Shanghai, China, landed at Pudong International Airport yesterday.

The flight was met by Juma Rashid Jassem, the UAE Ambassador to China, and a large number of Chinese civil aviation officials.

Tim Clark, president of Emirates airline; Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates executive vice-president of commercial operations worldwide; and Yang Wei Guo, Chinese Consul General in Dubai, were on the flight that marked the start of Emirate's passenger service to the commercial heart of China.

Speaking at a press conference on arrival, Clark noted: "Emirates is proud to offer the first-ever direct air passage between Dubai and mainland China.

"It will connect two of the world's fastest growing markets today. It is expected to facilitate travel flows in both directions. The flight will help promote the cultural and economic achievements of the two cities."

Clark expects the passenger flight to witness the same success as the cargo flights launched recently.

Xia Xinghua, director-general of Civil Administration of China (CAAC), East China Bureau, who was present at the airport, said: "Emirates is an international airline with a strong reputation for quality and high standards of service. This step enhances and strengthens cultural, economical and tourism ties between the UAE and Shanghai. It's a wise decision and Emirates is the 45th airline to operate in Shanghai."

Initially, Emirates will operate three flights a week between Dubai and Shanghai on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Flight EK302 departs from Dubai at 2.15am (Dubai time) and lands in Shanghai at 2.55pm (Shanghai time).

Return flight EK 303 from Shanghai operates on the same days, taking off at 11.55pm and arriving in Dubai at 5.10am the next day.