Emirates Airline planes are seen at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Feb 15, 2019. [Photo/Agencies]
Emirates, one of the world's largest international airlines, will begin daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Shenzhen in July, the carrier said on Monday.
Emirates' entry into Shenzhen makes it the first Middle Eastern carrier to operate a daily flight to the technology and innovation hub in South China. It is expected to further broaden the network for passengers travelling between major Chinese cities and key cities in the Middle East and Africa.
According to the media office of Dubai's government, EK328 will depart from Dubai at 10:05 am local time, arriving in Shenzhen at 10 pm. The return flight EK329 departs Shenzhen at 11:55 pm, landing in Dubai at 3:40 am the next day.
Along with the launch of the new flights, Shenzhen will become the first destination in China to be served by the airline's retrofitted wide-body Boeing 777-300ER.
Emirates became the first airline to establish direct air connectivity between the Middle East and China in 2002 with the start of services between Dubai and Shanghai.
Currently, Emirates operates twice daily to Shanghai and Beijing, and daily to Guangzhou. With its passenger and freighter operations, Emirates facilitates the transport of 2,000 metric tonnes of cargo each week from the Chinese mainland.
The addition of Shenzhen will serve as a vital bridge between Chinese enterprises and global markets, while deepening the economic partnership between the UAE and China, the office said.
Shenzhen's position as a technology manufacturing powerhouse generates valuable cargo streams requiring specialized handling and expedited delivery, particularly for sophisticated electronics and tech products. Emirates SkyCargo is expected to uplift 10 tonnes of cargo per flight between Shenzhen and Dubai and is expected to support exports such as high-tech devices and e-commerce items.
A total of 824,000 Chinese tourists visited Dubai in 2024, up 31 percent year-on-year, according to data released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
"Our expansion into Shenzhen opens new doors for business and economic exchange between this technological powerhouse and global markets," said Adnan Kazim, Emirates' deputy president and chief commercial officer.
"As we prepare to launch operations, we extend our gratitude to the Chinese authorities and airport partners for their ongoing support and are committed to ensuring this route's success while fostering cultural bonds and unlocking future economic potential."
